What is really important in our culture food wise is Khao Niew, also known as sticky rice. Sticky rice is something that has to be in Lao culture because we basically eat everything with it.
Khao Niew Magic
The process of making sticky rice is very simple. There are different materials you need, such as the pot and the basket that steams the rice. The first thing you need to do is soak the rice for at least 20-30 minutes. The next thing you do is fill up the pot with at least 4 inches of water so it can steam the rice when it boils. After the rice is soaked, you want to poor the rice in the steam basket and rinse the rice at the same time. Once you are done with that, let the extra bit of water flow out of the steam basket, then place it on the pot. Now you just put it on the stove and let it cook for 30 minutes.
The Flip
During the process of the rice steaming, you have to flip the rice in the basket so the top of the rice can also be steamed once it is flipped to the bottom of the basket. After 15 minutes is when you want to do this step, and after another 15 minutes you can take out the rice.
Once the rice is done cooking, you want to place the rice on the flat bamboo straw tray and air out the steam that is trapped in the rice. To do this, simply move the rice around with the white spoon that is on the picture.
Khao Niew in the Aip Khao
The “Aip Khao” is the rice basket. Once you are done clearing the steam from the rice, you put the rice in the basket and can now eat it with whatever you want with it.
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