Tofu Arroz Caldo

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pound fresh tofu
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup rice grains(uncooked)
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 7 cups water
• 1 medium onion, finely sliced
• 2 tablespoon fish sauce (patis)
• 5 stalks scallion(spring onion) finely sliced
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cut the tofu into one inch squares. Then deep fry it until golden brown. Set aside. In a large non-stick soup pot over medium heat, sauté garlic in oil until lightly brown. Add ginger and onion, stir for a minute. Then add fish sauce. Add rice, water and a little salt and pepper. Simmer in medium low heat, stirring occassionally for about 40 minutes or until the consistency of a light creamed soup has been reached. Add the fried tofu and correct seasonings to taste. Stir in a small amount of sliced scallion. If rice soup becomes too thick, add a little water to thin it a bit. Garnish individual bowl servings with sliced scallions just before serving. If you prefer, sprinkle a little lemon juice on the soup servings. This will give a pleasant tartness to the dish. Yield: 6 - 8 servings.