Samlor Machu Kroeung (Cambodian Sour Pork Soup)
Local name: សម្លម្ជូរគ្រឿង
In short: Pork ribs and vegetables in a light, sour broth flavored with a yellow kroeung paste of lemongrass, galangal and turmeric, plus tamarind and herbs. It takes about 1 h 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 5 min
- Total
- 1 h 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 210 kcal
Samlor machu kroeung is a Cambodian sour soup, a staple of home meals that is eaten alongside rice, not as a starter. Pork ribs simmer in a broth flavored with yellow kroeung, a paste of lemongrass, galangal, turmeric and kaffir lime. Tamarind gives the sourness, fish sauce the salt and a little palm sugar the balance. Eggplant, long beans and water spinach add color and bite.
Instructions
- Blanch the ribs in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain and rinse them. This keeps the broth clear.
- Pound or blend the kroeung ingredients into a coarse paste.
- Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the ribs, lower the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, skimming off any foam and fat.
- Stir in the kroeung paste and simmer for 10 minutes, until the ribs are tender and the broth smells fragrant.
- Add the eggplant and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the tamarind, fish sauce, palm sugar and long beans and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Add the tomatoes and water spinach and cook for 2 minutes, until the greens just wilt. Taste: it should be sour, salty and lightly sweet. Serve hot with rice.
Tips
- Adjust the sourness with extra tamarind or a squeeze of lime at the end. Tamarind pulp varies a lot, so add it a little at a time and taste.
- Beef, chicken or fish can replace the pork. Fish needs only 8 minutes of simmering, so add it with the vegetables.
Questions and answers
What does machu mean?
Machu means sour in Khmer. Samlor machu soups are all sour, but the souring agent and the meat change by region. This version uses tamarind and pork ribs.
Can I make samlor machu ahead of time?
Yes. The soup keeps for 3 days in the fridge and the flavors deepen. Add the water spinach only when reheating, as it turns dull when cooked for long.
What can I use if I cannot find kroeung ingredients?
Use lemongrass, ginger and a pinch of turmeric as a stand-in for galangal. The soup will be slightly less aromatic but still tasty.
How long does it take to make Samlor Machu Kroeung (Cambodian Sour Pork Soup)?
About 1 h 30 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Samlor Machu Kroeung (Cambodian Sour Pork Soup)?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
