Description
A vibrant and flavorful Thai-inspired Pineapple Fried Rice featuring sweet pineapple chunks, fresh vegetables, and a lightly curried soy-sauce base. This colorful dish is stir-fried to perfection and garnished with roasted cashews and green onions, offering a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and spicy notes. Perfect as a main course, it can be made vegetarian or customized with tofu or shrimp for added protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Fruit
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice, preferably chilled
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
Vegetables
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- 2 green onions, sliced
Eggs and Nuts
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup roasted cashews, chopped
Seasonings and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant and soft.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the diced bell pepper and thawed peas and carrots to the pan. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
- Scramble the Eggs: Push the cooked vegetables to one side of the pan. Pour the lightly beaten eggs into the empty side and scramble them until fully cooked. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetables evenly.
- Add Rice and Flavors: Add the chilled jasmine rice along with fresh pineapple chunks, soy sauce, optional fish sauce, curry powder, and black pepper. Stir-fry the mixture for 5 to 6 minutes, ensuring everything is thoroughly combined and heated through.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the pan from heat. Fold in the sliced green onions and chopped roasted cashews gently. Serve the pineapple fried rice warm with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish to add a fresh tang.
Notes
- Using chilled rice prevents the dish from becoming mushy and helps achieve a better stir-fry texture.
- For a protein variation, substitute the eggs with tofu or shrimp according to preference.
- Adjust the amount of curry powder and soy sauce to achieve a milder or more savory flavor profile as desired.
- This dish can be made vegetarian by omitting the fish sauce or replacing it with a vegetarian alternative.
