Heavenly Pineapple Fried Rice

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Traditional Thai- optional prawns
Vegetarian style

Traditional Thai ~ Heavenly Pineapple Fried Rice

1 whole 3 cups 4 Tbsp 1-3 Tbsp 2 3 cloves 1 Optional 8-12 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1 1/4 cup 2 Tbsp 2 tsp 3 1/3 cup

pineapple chunks (or 1 cup canned) cooked Thai jasmine rice - preferably several days old Tip: If using fresh rice, leave for an hour or more in the regrigerator uncovered. oil for frying - peanut or other nut oils work especially well chicken or vegetable stock shallots - thinly sliced garlic - minced red or green chili (de-seeded if milder rice is desired) fresh prawns roasted unsalted cashews frozen peas egg - beaten (omit if vegan) currants (or raisins) fish sauce or vegetarian fish sauce curry powder spring onions - finely sliced corianer - freshly chopped

• Start by preparing the rice. Add a little oil to the rice (up to 1 Tbsp.) and work through with your fingers. You want to separate the grains of rice, so that they don't stick together. Set aside - for 1 to 5 days.
• Place 3 Tbsp. oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and chili, and stir fry for one minute, or until fragrant. If using prawns, add them now as well. Cooking tip: If wok/pan becomes too dry, add a little stock instead of more oil.
  
• Push aside the shallots, garlic, and chili to make room for the egg (if using). Add the beaten egg to the wok/pan, and stir fry quickly to cook (like making scrambled eggs).
  
• In a separate small bowl, mix together the chicken or vegetable stock, curry powder, and fish sauce (or vegetarian fish sauce). Mix well, then add to wok/pan.
  
• Add the cashews and stir fry for a few seconds.
  
• Now add the prepared rice to the wok/pan. Stir fry until all the rice has mixed with the sauce and is a uniform color. Break up any lumps of rice with your stir frying utensil. Cooking Tip: Don't be tempted to add any more water/broth or other liquids to the rice at this point, or it will end up mushy. Keep the wok/pan as dry as possible, even if a little rice sticks to the bottom.
  
• Add the frozen peas, currents (or raisins), and pineapple. Stir fry to mix in.
  
• Continue stir frying until everything is integrated and the rice is done (1-2 more minutes). Cooking tip: You want the wok to be hot and dry at this point. You should be able to hear some rice "popping" or crackling in the pan. Finally, do a taste test. If not salty enough, add 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp. more fish sauce. If not spicy enough, add more chopped fresh chili.
• To serve, sprinkle with spring onion and coriander. Serve on a platter, or, as they do in Thailand, in a pineapple 'boat'.
  

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Vegetarian style ~ Heavenly Pineapple Fried Rice

1 whole 3 cups 2-3 Tbsp 1-3 Tbsp 2 3 cloves 1 Optional 8-12 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1 1/4 cup Sauce: 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Garnish: 3 1/3 cup

pineapple chunks (or 1 cup canned) cooked Thai jasmine rice - preferably several days old Tip: If using fresh rice, leave for an hour or more in the regrigerator uncovered. oil for frying - peanut, coconut, or canola vegetable stock (or chicken stock if non-vegetarian) shallots - thinly sliced garlic - finely chopped or pressed red or green chili (de-seeded if milder rice is desired) fresh prawns roasted unsalted cashews frozen peas egg - beaten (omit if vegan) currants (or raisins) vegetarian fish sauce (or regular fish sauce if non-vegetarian) curry powder spring onions - finely sliced corianer - freshly chopped

• Start by preparing the rice. Add a little oil to the rice (up to 1 Tbsp.) and work through with your fingers. You want to separate the grains of rice, so that they don't stick together. Set aside - for 1 to 5 days.
• Place 3 Tbsp. oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and chili, and stir fry for one minute, or until fragrant. If using prawns, add them now as well. Cooking Tip: If wok/pan becomes too dry, add a little stock instead of more oil.
  
• Push aside the shallots, garlic, and chili to make room for the egg (if using). Add the beaten egg to the wok/pan, and stir fry quickly to cook (like making scrambled eggs).
  
• In a separate small bowl, mix together the chicken or vegetable stock, curry powder, and fish sauce (or vegetarian fish sauce). Mix well, then add to wok/pan.
  
• Add the cashews and stir fry for a few seconds.
  
• Now add the prepared rice to the wok/pan. Stir fry until all the rice has mixed with the sauce and is a uniform color. Break up any lumps of rice with your stir frying utensil. Cooking Tip: Don't be tempted to add any more water/broth or other liquids to the rice at this point, or it will end up mushy. Keep the wok/pan as dry as possible, even if a little rice sticks to the bottom.
  
• Add the frozen peas, currents (or raisins), and pineapple. Stir fry to mix in.
  
• Continue stir frying until everything is integrated and the rice is done (1-2 more minutes). Cooking tip: You want the wok to be hot and dry at this point. You should be able to hear some rice "popping" or crackling in the pan. Finally, do a taste test. If not salty enough, add 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp. more fish sauce. If not spicy enough, add more chopped fresh chili.
• To serve, sprinkle with spring onion and coriander. Serve on a platter, or, as they do in Thailand, in a pineapple 'boat'.

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