Samlar machu facts for kids
A bowl of Samlar machu kroeung.
|
|
| Alternative names | Samlor machu, salaw machu, somlor machu |
|---|---|
| Type | Soup |
| Place of origin | Cambodia |
| Main ingredients | Tamarind, prahok, vegetables, fruits, herbs |
| Variations | Samlar machu kroeung, Samlar machu yuon, Samlar machu srae, Samlar machu ktis |
| Similar dishes | Canh chua |
Samlar machu (Khmer: សម្លម្ជូរ) is a very popular and tasty sour soup from Cambodia. The name "Samlar machu" simply means 'sour soup' in the Khmer language. It is a very important part of Cambodian cooking and is enjoyed by many families.
Contents
What Makes Samlar Machu Sour?
The main ingredient that gives this soup its special sour taste is tamarind (អម្ពិល). Tamarind is a fruit with a tangy, sweet-sour pulp.
However, other fruits and vegetables can also add to the sour flavor. These include tomatoes (ប៉េងប៉ោះ), pineapples (ម្នាស់), and even certain leaves like Tiliacora triandra (ស្លឹកវល្លិយាវ). Some recipes also use celery or a plant called Ipomoea aquatica, also known as water spinach.
Different Kinds of Samlar Machu
There are many different types of Samlar machu, each with its own unique ingredients and flavors. Here are a few popular ones:
- Samlar machu yuon (សម្លរម្ជូរយួន): This version often includes lobster, fish, or chicken. It also features pineapple, dried fish, and tomatoes.
- Samlar machu srae (សម្លម្ជូរស្រែ): This soup is made with fresh or dried fish, crab, and green papaya.
- Samlar machu kroeung (សម្លរម្ជូរគ្រឿង): This type usually has beef or pork. It uses a special yellow paste called kroeung, along with Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach), eggplants, and dried jamalac fruit.
- Samlar machu ktis (សម្លរម្ជូរខ្ទិះ): This delicious soup combines pork, pineapple, and creamy coconut milk.
Main Ingredients
Besides the souring agents, Samlar machu soups often include different kinds of meat. You might find chicken, fish, pork, beef, lobster, or crab in a Samlar machu.
Another key ingredient is prahok, which is a type of fermented fish paste. This paste adds a deep, savory flavor to the soup. Various vegetables, fruits, and fresh herbs are also added to make the soup flavorful and healthy.
Samlar Machu Around the World
Cambodian people who live in other countries, like the U.S. and Canada, still love to make and eat Samlar machu. Sometimes, it can be hard to find fresh tamarind in these places. So, instead of using fresh tamarind, they might use a special powdered tamarind soup base mix. A well-known brand that makes this mix is Knorr.
