Best 4 Steamed Sticky Rice Kao Niaow Recipes

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Steamed sticky rice, also known as kao niaow, is a staple food in many Asian countries, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This aromatic and glutinous rice is a centerpiece of many traditional dishes, served alongside curries, grilled meats, or simply eaten on its own. The unique texture of steamed sticky rice makes it ideal for scooping up sauces and absorbing flavors. Cooking kao niaow requires careful attention to water ratios and steaming techniques to achieve the perfect sticky consistency. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, exploring the art of making steamed sticky rice can open up a world of culinary possibilities.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

THAI STICKY RICE (KHAO NIAO) RECIPE



Thai Sticky Rice (Khao Niao) Recipe image

Give glutinous rice the spa treatment-soak and then steam-for simple Thai-style sticky rice.

Provided by Sasha Marx

Categories     Sides

Time 2h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 1

4 cups (28 ounces; 800g) Thai sticky rice (see note)

Steps:

  • Remove from heat, and flip bundle over once more so that the folded over parts of cheesecloth are facing you. Transfer rice to a heatproof bowl and cover it with a plate (you can discard the cheesecloth at this point, or if you used a bamboo steamer and wish to use the steamer basket as a serving vessel, keep the rice in its cheesecloth parcel and unwrap it right before serving). Let rice cool slightly for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 136 kcal, Carbohydrate 28 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 166 mg, Sugar 4 g, Fat 1 g, ServingSize Serves 6 to 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

STEAMED STICKY RICE (KAO NIAOW)



Steamed Sticky Rice (Kao Niaow) image

Sticky rice is the main event at the northern Thai table. Small bites of each dish are put on the diner's plate, then a walnut-size amount of rice is formed into a ball with your fingers and used to pick up a chunk of meat or vegetable.

Categories     Rice     Side     Steam     Quick & Easy     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Low Sugar     Kidney Friendly     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 8 servings (as part of larger meal)

Number Of Ingredients 3

4 cups raw Thai sticky rice (26 oz)
Special Equipment
cheesecloth

Steps:

  • Cover rice with 2 to 3 inches cold water in a large bowl and soak at room temperature at least 3 hours.
  • Drain rice and put in a steamer basket (see cooks' note, below) lined with cheesecloth. Steam rice, covered with lid, over boiling water until shiny and tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

KHAO NIAW (STICKY RICE)



Khao Niaw (Sticky Rice) image

Often the last thing people in the North and Northeast of Thailand do before bed is put raw grains of sticky rice in a pot, cover them with water, and leave them to soak. This is sticky rice country, and a day without sticky rice is almost unthinkable. Also called glutinous rice, it has a different starch composition than varieties like jasmine. I'm not qualified to explain the world of amylopectin and amylose starches, so suffice it to say that the glossy cooked grains of sticky rice are particularly chewy and stick to one another in clumps, yet still remain distinct. It's a magical thing. Served in baskets, either one per person or as a mountainous mound to be passed around, the grains of sticky rice form moldable masses. Practiced diners snatch off a gumball-size piece, reflexively fashion it into a sort of spoon shape, and use it to grab a taste of whatever else is on the table. In these baskets or in bamboo tubes, workers carry this rice with them into the fields and forests, a portable, edible eating implement. While you could argue that so-called "steamed jasmine rice" isn't steamed at all but rather boiled, sticky rice is actually steamed. In the Northeast, it typically goes into a bamboo basket; in the North, it's traditionally prepared in a clay pot with a perforated bottom, though today the pot is often aluminum. The basket or pot is set over a pot-bellied vessel filled with boiling water and the steam cooks the grains, already swollen from soaking, in just 15 minutes or so. The process is easy enough for uninitiated cooks. It just takes a little practice to get right.

Provided by Andy Ricker

Yield Serves 6 to 8, or 4 enthusiastic rice eaters; the recipe is easily doubled

Number Of Ingredients 4

A fine-mesh strainer
Cheesecloth or a clean mesh rice-steaming bag
An inexpensive sticky rice steamer set (both the woven basket and pot-bellied pot)
4 cups uncooked Thai sticky rice (also called "glutinous" or "sweet" rice)

Steps:

  • Put the sticky rice in a large bowl and add enough tepid tap water to cover by an inch or two. Let it soak for at least 4 hours or up to 10 hours (as long as it's not very hot in your kitchen; if you're in a hurry, you can get away with soaking it in hot tap water for as little as 2 hours).
  • Pour off the soaking water. Put the rice in a fine-mesh strainer set inside a large bowl. Fill the bowl with enough cool tap water to cover the rice by an inch or two. Use your hand to gently stir the rice, then lift the strainer from the bowl. The water in the bowl will be cloudy from the rice starch. Empty the water, set the strainer in the bowl again, and repeat the process until the water is, more or less, clear. You'll probably have to change the water two or three times. Drain the rice.
  • Pour enough water into the sticky rice steamer pot to reach a depth of about 2 inches. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Either add the rice to the mesh bag and put the bag in the basket or line the woven steamer basket with two layers of damp cheesecloth and dump the rice onto the cheesecloth. Fold the bag or cheesecloth so it covers the rice, pat the bundle so the rice is in a more or less even layer, and cover with a pot lid or clean, damp kitchen cloth, tucking it around the bundle.
  • Decrease the heat slightly to maintain a steady but not furious boil and set the basket into the pot. Cook until the grains are fully tender but still chewy (almost springy) and definitely not mushy, about 15 minutes. (Larger batches of sticky rice take about 20 minutes, and the rice bundle should be flipped over once halfway through the steaming process.)
  • Transfer the rice to a small cooler or large bowl covered with a plate. Wait about 15 minutes before digging in. The sticky rice will stay warm for an hour or so.
  • You can successfully reheat leftover sticky rice; cover and microwave on low, then eat it right away.

THAI SWEET STICKY RICE WITH MANGO (KHAO NEEO MAMUANG)



Thai Sweet Sticky Rice With Mango (Khao Neeo Mamuang) image

This wonderful and authentic-tasting Thai dessert is as good, if not better, than any sweet sticky rice with Mango available in Thai restaurants.

Provided by Michelle

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Thai

Time 1h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 ½ cups uncooked short-grain white rice
2 cups water
1 ½ cups coconut milk
1 cup white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon tapioca starch
3 mangos, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Steps:

  • Combine the rice and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • While the rice cooks, mix together 1 1/2 cups coconut milk, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil; remove from heat and set aside. Stir the cooked rice into the coconut milk mixture; cover. Allow to cool for 1 hour.
  • Make a sauce by mixing together 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the tapioca starch in a saucepan; bring to a boil.
  • Place the sticky rice on a serving dish. Arrange the mangos on top of the rice. Pour the sauce over the mangos and rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 817.4 calories, Carbohydrate 144.3 g, Fat 26 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 21.7 g, Sodium 458.4 mg, Sugar 76.4 g

Tips:

  • Use a steamer with a tight-fitting lid to ensure the rice cooks evenly and doesn't dry out.
  • Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove any starch and impurities.
  • Soak the rice for at least 30 minutes before cooking to help it cook more evenly.
  • Use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water when cooking steamed sticky rice. This will give you a fluffy, tender rice that is not too sticky or mushy.
  • Be careful not to overcook the rice, as this will make it dry and hard.
  • Once the rice is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow it to absorb all of the moisture.
  • Serve steamed sticky rice with your favorite dishes, such as curries, stews, and grilled meats.

Conclusion:

Steamed sticky rice is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of meals. It is easy to make, and with a few simple tips, you can create the perfect steamed sticky rice every time. So next time you're looking for a satisfying and delicious side dish, give steamed sticky rice a try.

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