Khanom khrok facts for kids
Khanom khrok are small coconut hotcakes. They are made on a special cast-iron pan with indentations and two halves are eventually stuck to one another to form the finished mini-pancake. They can have different fillings or additives: sometimes sweet, sometimes savoury such as chives giving the sweet khanom khrok a surprising taste sensation.
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| Type | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Thailand |
| Region or state | Southeast Asia |
| Associated national cuisine | Thailand |
| Similar dishes | Banh khot, mont lin maya, takoyaki, serabi |
Khanom khrok (pronounced kah-nom krock) are yummy coconut-rice pancakes from Thailand. They are a popular traditional Thai dessert. These small, round treats are made from a special batter. They are often served as a sweet snack or breakfast item.
Khanom khrok are known for their lovely smell and smooth texture. This comes from the coconut milk used to make them. They are usually sweet, but sometimes they have surprising savory additions.
Contents
What are Khanom Khrok?
Khanom khrok are like mini-pancakes. They are cooked in a special pan with many small, round dents. This pan looks a bit like a muffin tin. Each Khanom khrok is made from two halves. These halves are cooked separately, then joined together to form a full circle.
What are the Main Ingredients?
The main ingredients for Khanom khrok are simple. They include:
- Coconut milk
- Rice flour
- Sugar
Sometimes, other ingredients are added for extra flavor or texture. These can include:
- Tapioca or arrowroot flour
- Shredded coconut
- Green onions
- Corn
- Taro
- Pandan essence (for a green color and sweet smell)
- Cilantro
How are They Made?
Making Khanom khrok involves a few steps:
- First, a batter is prepared. This batter is usually made from rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk.
- Often, two types of batter are used. One batter is a bit salty, and the other is sweet.
- The special pan is heated up.
- The batter is poured into the small dents in the hot pan.
- As they cook, the edges become crispy and the inside stays soft.
- Once cooked, the two half-circular pieces are carefully taken out.
- They are then put together to make a whole, round pancake.
A Sweet History
Khanom khrok has been a well-loved dessert in Thailand for a very long time. People have been enjoying them since the Ayutthaya period. This was a very important time in Thai history, lasting from 1351 to 1767.
The special cooking pan with dents was also used back then. Originally, the batter was made from rice soaked in water and ground with thin coconut milk. Cooked rice and shredded coconut were also added, along with a little salt. Then, a thicker coconut milk was poured on top.
Over time, people started to get creative with Khanom khrok. For the royal family, different toppings were added. These included:
These toppings gave the sweet Khanom khrok a surprising and delicious taste.
Similar Treats Around the World
Khanom khrok are unique, but similar dishes can be found in other countries. Many of these are in Southeast Asia. Some examples include:
- In Myanmar, a similar dish is called mont lin maya.
- In Indonesia, a pancake-like treat is known as serabi.
- In South India, dishes like Paddu, Paniyaram, or Gundpongalu are also cooked in a similar dimpled pan.
These dishes show how different cultures can create similar yummy foods!
