Thai pineapple fried rice is probably one of the most famed dishes that comes to mind when the topic of food in Thailand comes to mind. This dish is popularly served within the husk of the pineapple fruit (though not always, for practicality’s sake!), usually with the country’s freshest pineapples and shrimps as well. One should not forget to try out this dish when one is in the land of smiles.
Interestingly, in Singapore, Thai pineapple fried rice is also a common choice for many when it comes to ordering buffets for celebrative occasions or formal events. I believe this is due to the rice dish being a visually colourful one, as well as a dish that is both sweet and savoury in taste – its sweetness derived from the fresh pineapple fruit and its savoury tastes from the shrimp paste and fish sauce, thus enabling it to appeal to the taste buds of many. It is also one of the best rice dishes to cook that fully utilises the local ingredients found within the Southeast Asian regions.
Try it today to get a taste of Thailand and Southeast Asia!
Ingredients:
- Oil: 2 tbsp + 1 tbsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves, finely chopped
- Fresh red chilli: 2, chopped
- Shrimp paste: 2 tsp
- Onion: 1, finely chopped
- Small prawns: 10, outer shells removed
- Egg: 2
- Cooked rice: using 4 cups of uncooked rice
- Fish sauce: 2 tbsp
- Cashew nut: 1/2 cup
- Pineapple: 1 (small), diced + 2 tbsp fresh pineapple juice
- Coriander: 1 stalk, chopped
Method:
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in wok.
- Add garlic, chillies, shrimp paste and onion. Fry till fragrant.
- Add prawns. Fry till just cooked.
- Push fried prawn mixture to one side of wok. Add 1 tbsp oil on the other side of wok.
- Add eggs to the oil. Fry till set and mix in with the rest of the fried prawn mixture.
- Stir in rice, fish sauce and cashew nuts. Fry for 1 min.
- Stir in pineapples, pineapple juice and coriander. Fry for another min.
- Garnish with remaining coriander to serve.
Trick:
- Sprinkle some chicken or pork floss over the rice to serve. This is how pineapple fried rice is being served in many of the local eateries and restaurants in Singapore, though I’m not sure if this is also the case in the place of origin as well.
Serving:
4 persons
