on Mar 18, 2021, Updated Sep 07, 2023 You can also try my other favorite Thai recipes: Vegan Pad Thai Noodles, and Thai Red Chicken Curry.
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Picture this: fragrant jasmine rice tossed with vibrant Thai basil, fiery bird’s eye chilies, a medley of veggies, and a symphony of sauces dancing together perfectly. Let me tell you, this dish isn’t just any fried rice; it’s a flavor explosion! Thai cuisine nails that delicate balance of sweet, salty, acidic, and spicy flavors, and Khao Pad perfectly showcases that culinary magic. Stroll through the streets of Thailand, and you’ll catch whiffs of this tantalizing aroma wafting from street stalls and restaurants alike. It’s a staple, a go-to, and for good reason. Quick to whip up, it’s a lifesaver for those lunch or dinner dilemmas. And here’s the beauty: you can customize it to your heart’s content. Load it up with your favorite veggies, and toss in some protein if you fancy; the possibilities are endless! Now, let’s talk serving. A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of white ground pepper, and don’t forget the Nam Pla Prik dipping sauce – that’s how you elevate your Khao Pad game. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, crown it with a perfectly fried egg. So there you have it – Thai Fried Rice, the ultimate comfort food with a Thai twist. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked! To give this dish a healthy twist, you can replace rice with quinoa, couscous, or cauliflower rice. Basil – Try to get Thai basil for that authentic taste. If it’s unavailable, use regular sweet basil (Italian basil) instead. Sauces – You will need fish sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. To make this dish vegetarian, skip adding fish sauce and use vegetarian oyster sauce instead of regular oyster sauce. Thai bird’s eye chilies give this dish a spicy kick. If these chilies are unavailable, you can use any hot red chili. Shrimp – Use fresh or frozen shrimp. If they are not already cleaned and deveined, do so. You can replace shrimp with chicken, crab meat, pork, or beef. Other Ingredients – This recipe also requires oil, garlic, green onions (spring onions), brown sugar, onions, salt, and pepper. Brown sugar can be replaced with palm sugar or honey. Make sure the rice is already cooked and cooled well. It is essential to use cold rice to keep the grains separate. The fried rice will turn out mushy if the rice is freshly cooked. Check out my Instant Pot White Jasmine Rice recipe to cook perfect rice. Prepare the shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them to room temperature. Wash them and pat them dry using a kitchen towel. If using fresh shrimp, remove the head and tail. Remove the vein using a sharp paring knife. Wash the shrimp well and pat dry.
3 teaspoon dark soy sauce 2 teaspoon oyster sauce 2 teaspoon fish sauce ½ teaspoon brown sugar
2-3 bird’s eye chilies 3-4 peeled garlic cloves ½ teaspoon salt
Once the oil is very hot, add the crushed garlic and red chilies and saute for 8-10 seconds. Add ½ cup thinly sliced onion and fry for 4-5 seconds. Now add the sauce mixture and 3 cups of cooked and cooled rice and mix everything well.
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper ¼ cup chopped green onions 1 cup packed Thai basil (roughly torn)
Check for salt and add more if needed. Serve hot with sliced tomato, cucumber, and lime wedges.
