Nam khao (Lao: ແໜມເຂົ້າ), also known as yam naem (Thai: ยำแหนม), is a very popular Laotian salad originating from Tha Deua, a small port village in Vientiane.
It is a crispy rice salad, made with fried rice balls, pieces of fermented pork sausage in Laotian Vietnamese style (som moo or naem chua), crushed peanuts, grated coconut, green onion, mint, coriander, lime juice, fish sauce, and other ingredients.
Traditionally consumed by filling a single lettuce leaf with a spoonful of the nam khao mix and then garnishing it with fresh herbs and fried chilies.
The dish spread to northeastern Thailand (Isan) and the rest of Thailand when Laotians and the Laotian ethnic group from the Isan region migrated to Bangkok for work.
Another Laos recipe:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup jasmine rice
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 1/2 cups grated coconut (shredded)
- 2 tablespoons lime leaves
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 lime
- 150 g fermented pork sausage (or pork sausage)
- 150 g pork rind (cut into strips)
- to taste coriander
- to taste green onions
- 1/4 cup peanuts
- to taste fresh chilies
- to taste mint
- to taste lettuce
- to taste salt
- to taste vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Steps
Steam the rice.
Let it cool and season with the egg, red curry paste, coconut, chopped lime leaves, and sugar.
Form balls and fry in plenty of oil.
Once cooled, crumble the rice balls in a bowl and season with: fish sauce, lime juice, salt, sliced pork sausage, pork rind, coriander, mint, green onion, and crushed peanuts.
Serve with lettuce leaves and fried chilies.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are the other names for Nam khao?
Nam khao is also known as naem Thadeua (Laotian: ແໜມທ່າເດືອ), naem khao tod (Laotian: ແໜມເຂົ້າທອດ), yam naem khao thot (Thai: ยำแหนมข้าวทอด) or naem khluk (Thai: แหนมคลุก) and translated or transliterated as Lao crispy rice salad, Lao fried rice ball salad.
