Samlor Kako (Cambodian Stirred Fish and Vegetable Soup)
Local name: សម្លកកូរ
In short: Catfish and a crowd of vegetables simmered in a green kroeung broth with prahok, thickened with toasted ground rice and finished with fresh herbs. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 205 kcal
Samlor kako, the stirred soup, is one of the most complex dishes in the Khmer repertoire. Fish and many vegetables simmer in a broth flavored with green kroeung and prahok, a fermented fish paste. Ground toasted rice goes in at the end and thickens the soup slightly. It is a dish for gatherings, served with rice, and it rewards the extra effort.
Instructions
- Toast the raw rice in a dry pan over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking often, until deep golden. Grind to a coarse powder.
- Pound or blend the lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves, garlic and shallots into a coarse green paste.
- Bring the water to a boil. Stir in the kroeung paste and prahok and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the papaya and simmer for 8 minutes, then the eggplant and long beans for 5 minutes more.
- Add the fish and mushrooms. Simmer gently for 5 to 6 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes, at 63°C (145°F). Stir carefully so it does not break up.
- Stir in the ground rice, fish sauce and palm sugar. Add the spinach and basil, cook for 1 minute and serve hot with rice.
Tips
- Prahok is strong and salty. If you are new to it, start with a teaspoon, taste, and add more fish sauce as needed. Mashed anchovy fillets give a similar savory depth.
- Pork, chicken or shrimp can replace the fish. Use whichever vegetables are in season, such as pumpkin, banana blossom or winged beans.
Questions and answers
Why is it called stirred soup?
Kako means stirred in Khmer. The soup is stirred as the ground toasted rice is added, which thickens it and gives it a slightly nutty body.
Can I make samlor kako ahead of time?
Make the broth and vegetables a day ahead and add the fish, ground rice and herbs when you reheat. This keeps the fish tender and the herbs bright.
Can I use another fish?
Yes. Any firm white fish that holds together works, such as catfish, tilapia, snapper or cod. Avoid very delicate fish, which fall apart in the simmering soup.
How long does it take to make Samlor Kako (Cambodian Stirred Fish and Vegetable Soup)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Samlor Kako (Cambodian Stirred Fish and Vegetable Soup)?
About 205 kcal per serving, with 23 g of protein, 18 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 205 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
