Basic Rice Soup "Cháo"

Ingredients

• 3/4 long-grain rice
• 2 1/2 quarts (10 cups) chicken stock
• 4 quarter sized slices unpeeled fresh ginger
• 2 scallions white part only
• Salt

Instructions

1. 1
   Put the rice in a 4 quart saucepan and add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Stir the rice with your hand 8 -10 times then let the rice settle. Drain the water and rinse the rice to remove some of the starch.
2. 2
   Add stock, ginger, and scallions and ring to a oil over high heat. Lower the heat to a vigorous simmer , and then cover partially. Cool for 5 minutes, stir the rice to make sure it is not sticking and gently simmer.
3. 3
   Recover partially and continue cooking for one hour or until the rice has thickened and turned creamy white. Discard the ginger and scallions and salt as necessary. Use this soup base with chicken and cilantro, seafood, shredded pork or salted preserved eggs.