If you’re looking for a flavorful and visually appealing dish that combines sweet and savory flavors, look no further than pineapple fried rice. This Thai-inspired dish is not only delicious but also easy to make at home. With just a few key ingredients, you can whip up a mouthwatering meal that will have your taste buds begging for more.
To make pineapple fried rice, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of cooked jasmine rice
- 1/2 cup of diced pineapple
- 1/2 cup of diced vegetables (such as bell peppers, carrots, and peas)
- 1/4 cup of diced onion
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1/4 cup of cashews or peanuts, for garnish
First, heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, and sauté until fragrant. Next, add the diced vegetables and cook until they begin to soften. Then, push the vegetables to one side of the wok and add the cooked rice to the other side. Stir-fry the rice for a few minutes to heat it through.
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, fish sauce, curry powder, and turmeric powder. Pour this mixture over the rice and vegetables, and stir well to coat everything evenly. Finally, add the diced pineapple and stir-fry for another minute or two until the pineapple is heated through.
To serve, transfer the pineapple fried rice to a plate and garnish with cashews or peanuts. The combination of the sweet pineapple, savory vegetables, and aromatic spices makes this dish a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy it as a main course or a side dish, and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills!
Preparation
- 2 cups of cooked jasmine rice
- 1 cup of pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup of diced carrots
- 1/2 cup of peas
- 1/4 cup of diced onion
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup of cashews
- 1/4 cup of raisins
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Wok or large skillet
- Spatula
- Knife
- Cutting board
Once you have all your ingredients ready, start by cooking the rice. It is important to use cold, cooked rice for this dish to prevent it from turning mushy. If you don’t have any leftover rice, you can cook it ahead of time and let it cool in the refrigerator for a few hours.
While the rice is cooling, you can prepare the other ingredients. Dice the carrots, onion, and garlic, and set them aside. Drain the pineapple chunks and pat them dry with a paper towel. Measure out the soy sauce, oyster sauce, cashews, and raisins so they are ready to go when you start cooking.
Gather ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 cup of diced pineapple
- 1/2 cup of diced onion
- 1/2 cup of diced bell pepper
- 1/2 cup of diced carrots
- 1/2 cup of diced ham or shrimp (optional)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of fish sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of curry powder
- 1/4 cup of cashew nuts
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking, as it will make the cooking process smoother and more efficient. You can find most of these ingredients at your local grocery store.
Cut Pineapple
1. Choose a ripe pineapple: Look for a pineapple that is slightly soft when pressed and has a sweet aroma.
2. Remove the top and bottom: Lay the pineapple on its side and use a sharp knife to cut off the leafy top and the woody bottom.
3. Peel the skin: Stand the pineapple upright and carefully slide the knife between the flesh and the skin in a downward motion. Rotate the pineapple as you peel off the skin, making sure to remove all the eyes.
4. Remove the core: Place the peeled pineapple on its side and cut off the core by slicing a thin layer from the top and bottom. You can save the core for juicing or discard it if you don’t need it.
5. Cut it into chunks: Slice the pineapple into rings, and then cut each ring into bite-sized chunks or cubes. Make sure to remove any remaining eyes or tough parts as you go.
Now that you have successfully cut the pineapple, you can use it to make the delicious Pineapple Fried Rice. Enjoy!
Cook rice
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of jasmine rice
- 1 1/2 cups of water
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Instructions:
- Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess starch.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water, and salt.
- Place the saucepan over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
- Simmer the rice for about 15-20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow it to steam.
- After 5 minutes, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Your perfectly cooked rice is now ready to be used in the pineapple fried rice recipe!
Cooking the rice correctly ensures that it has the right texture and moisture content to combine well with the other ingredients in the pineapple fried rice. Taking the time to rinse the rice and using the proper rice-to-water ratio will result in fluffy and flavorful rice that pairs perfectly with the sweet and savory flavors of the dish.
Cooking process
To begin, gather all the necessary ingredients: cooked rice, fresh pineapple, vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and peas, protein like shrimp or chicken, soy sauce, fish sauce, and spices like garlic and ginger.
Steps:
- Cook the protein: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat and cook the protein until it is fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the vegetables: In the same skillet, add some oil and sauté the vegetables until they are tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.
- Stir-fry the rice: Add more oil to the skillet and stir-fry the rice until it is heated through and starts to slightly crisp.
- Combine all ingredients: Add the cooked protein, sautéed vegetables, and chopped pineapple to the skillet.
- Season the rice: Drizzle soy sauce and fish sauce over the rice mixture and sprinkle with garlic, ginger, and any other desired spices.
- Stir-fry and mix: Stir-fry everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Serve and enjoy: Transfer the Pineapple Fried Rice to a serving plate or bowl and garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
The combination of the sweet pineapple, savory protein, and aromatic spices creates a flavorful and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. The vibrant colors and textures of the vegetables add freshness and visual appeal to the dish. Serve the Pineapple Fried Rice on its own or as a side dish with other Thai dishes such as curry or stir-fried vegetables.
