Thai Fried Rice

To accompany the Thai Green Curry I made the Thai Fried Rice. A very simple & quick recipe. A very versatile dish for South Asian cuisines.

Serves: 4-6 Preparation Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup basmati rice, washed thoroughly and soaked for about half an hour
1-2 stalks lemon grass
3 tbsp Red bell peppers/capsicum, julienned
3 tbsp Yellow bell peppers/capsicum, julienned
3 tbsp Green bell peppers/capsicum, julienned
3 tbsp carrots, julienned
3 tbsp green or purple cabbage, julienned
1 small spring onion (3 tbsp), white, chopped
3 tbsp spring onion greens, chopped
1 tbsp ( 2-3 cloves) garlic, crushed
3 tbsp oil
2 tbsp Tabasco sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
1 tbsp white or black pepper powder
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt as per taste

Method:

1. Firstly, take twice the quantity of water for rice and let it boil. Now add some salt, oil and lemon grass stalks roughly chopped. Now add the soaked rice let it simmer until 85% cooked. Each grain should be separate. You may pass it through cold water to arrest cooking.
Once strained, you now remove the lemon grass stalks.

2. While the rice is being cooked, chop the spring onions, carrots, bell peppers, cabbage and leave aside. 

2. In a wok, or a deep & wide kadai heat some oil. Add the spring onion whites & greens along with garlic and sauté for 2 mins. 

3. Now add the bell peppers & carrots and stir fry for about 2-3 mins. 

4. Now add salt, the capsico sauce, oyster sauce, pepper powder, lemon juice and mix well. Mix in the cabbage and cook for 2 mins. The entire mixture will reduce in size by now. We do not cook the vegetables until entirely soft. Slight crunchiness will add a nice texture to the rice.

5. Now toss in the rice taking care that it they do not break or mash. Let it cook for a minute and serve warm!

Enjoy your rice with the mouth watering Thai Green Curry!

Notes & Tips:

1. For my Jain Friends:

Omit onion & garlic. Stir fry bell peppers, carrots (if using) and add cabbage towards the end. Add capsico sauce, pepper, lemon juice and 1 tbsp soya sauce. And proceed.

2. The purple cabbage looks colourful and is in fact a healthier option to our green cabbage. 

3. I do not like the taste of oyster sauce, hence omitted. You can either add 1 tbsp soya sauce or skip it entirely like I did. It tastes equally good. 

Pls. note if you're adding soya sauce, reduce salt accordingly.