Thai Pineapple Fried Rice (Khao Pad Sapparod)
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice (Khao Pad Sapparod) is a vibrant, tropical dish that perfectly balances savory, sweet, and a touch of spice. Traditionally served in a hollowed-out pineapple, this flavorful fried rice is made with shrimp, curry powder, and juicy pineapple chunks, offering a taste of Thailand in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 large pineapple
- 3 tbsp canola or other high-temperature cooking oil
- 4-6 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
- 3 tbsp diced shallots
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger
- 1 cup shrimp or chicken, tofu, or another protein, peeled and deveined (or chopped if using chicken)
- 4 cups cooked and chilled jasmine rice
- 2-3 tbsp fish sauce
- 3-4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 2-3 scallions chopped
- Pinch white pepper
- 3 tbsp cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise, creating two halves. Carefully cut out the center and scoop out the flesh, leaving a hollowed-out shell. Dice about 1 cup of the pineapple into medium-sized chunks for the fried rice, and save the rest for snacking or another dish.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, shallots, ginger, and shrimp (or your protein of choice). Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, until the shrimp turns pink and the garlic and shallots become fragrant. If using chicken, cook until the pieces are golden and fully cooked through.
- Add the chilled jasmine rice to the pan. Gently stir and use the flat side of your spatula to push down on the rice in small circular motions. This helps to separate the rice grains without breaking them. Let the rice cook for another minute or so, ensuring it heats through.
- Stir in the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and curry powder. Continue stirring for another minute until everything is well incorporated, and the rice has taken on a lovely golden color from the curry powder.
- Fold in the diced pineapple and cook for another 1-2 minutes to let the fruit absorb the savory flavors of the rice. Stir in the chopped scallions and a pinch of white pepper for extra flavor.
- Once everything is well combined, transfer the fried rice into the hollowed-out pineapple halves for a traditional presentation, or simply serve in a bowl. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 503kcalCarbohydrates: 82gProtein: 20gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 1538mgPotassium: 598mgFiber: 5gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 228IUVitamin C: 111mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 2mg
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