Thai Pineapple Fried Rice with Shrimp

Bryan and I like to go to Thai restaurant. Our favorite is yellow curry, but pineapple fried rice also comes very close. When I came across something I really like in restaurant, I like to try to make it at home if I can. This pineapple fried rice is pretty good, and it is very easy to make. I used canned pineapple because it is a lot more convenient, but I am sure fresh pineapple would be better.

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice with Shrimps (Adapted from About.com)

3 – 4 servings

Ingredients:

–   2 cups uncooked rice

–   ½ pound medium shrimps

–   1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)

–   ½ cup roasted unsalted cashews

–   ¼ cup raisins

–   2 shallots (thinly sliced)

–   3 green onions (finely diced)

–   3 garlic cloves (minced)

–   1 egg (beaten)

–   1 red or green chili (finely chopped, de-seeded for mild flavor)

–   vegetable oil

Sauce:

–   3 tablespoons chicken stock

–   3 tablespoons fish sauce

–   2 teaspoons curry powder

–   1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1. Cook the rice in a rice cooker. Once the rice is cooked, let it cool in room temperature for at least 2 hours. If you can, cook the rice the night before, and let the rice cool in the fridge overnight.
2. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce. Set aside.
3. In a wok over medium-high heat, heat up 3 tablespoons oil. Add the shallots, chili, and garlic. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the shrimps and stir for 3 – 4 minutes until cook through and the color is pink. Take out the shrimps and set aside.
4. Push the shallots, chili and garlic aside to cook the egg. Pour the beaten egg to wok and scramble it. Separate the eggs into small pieces with a spatula. Add the cashews and stir for 30 seconds.
5. Add the sauce into the wok. Add the cooked rice, and stir until the rice is evenly covered. Make sure to separate the rice that has stuck together.
6. Put in the raisins, pineapple, and cooked shrimps. Stir to mix and cook for 3 – 4 minutes. Taste to try. If needed, add extra fish sauce for seasoning. Add the chopped green onions at the last minute. Mix well. Serve immediately.

Tips:

1. If you don’t have fish sauce, you can substitute it with soy sauce.
2. If you are not a fan of shrimp, you can use chicken.