Thai Fried Rice

Thai fried rice is known as Khao Pad or Khao Phad and is a variety of fried rice, that is typical to Central Thai cuisine. To translate Khao Pad, khao stands for rice and pad is something related to being stir fried. However, it should not be confused with Chinese fried rice, as apart from the different sauces, spices, etc. the variety of rice used to make Thai fried rice is also different. To make Thai rice, the regular long grain rice is not used, instead a variety of rice called Jasmine rice is used. The ingredients, that are used to make this rice are chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, crab, egg, etc. Out of these Thai shrimp fried rice and Thai crab fried rice is very popular.

How to Make Thai Fried Rice

In Thailand, fried rice is served at lunch and is often served with cucumber and a wedge of lime. The unique taste of the Thai rice comes from a mix of fish sauce, soy sauce, chili peppers and lime. The rice is decorated with cilantro and a dusting of freshly ground pepper. When you make fried rice it is good to use a little dry rice, so that the rice does not stick.

Recipe # 1
This is the recipe to make Thai fried rice with chicken. This recipe can also be used to make vegetarian fried rice as well.

Ingredients

• Jasmine Rice (cooked) 1 cup
• Onion (sliced) ¼ cup
• Garlic (finely chopped) 1 ½ tsp
• Scallions (both the green as well as white parts) 2 tbsp
• Tomato (diced) ⅓ cup
• Chicken Meat (small pieces) ⅓ cup
• Salt ½ tsp
• White Soy Sauce ½ tsp
• White Sugar ¼ tsp
• Black Soy Sauce ¼ tsp
• Cooking Oil ½ tbsp
• Egg 1
• White Pepper Powder ¼ tsp

Method

• Chop the tomatoes into medium-sized pieces and make thin strips of onion. Chop scallions finely.
• Heat the oil on high till the oil is hot.
• Add onion to the pan and stir well.
• When the onion softens up, add garlic to the onion and stir a little.
• When the garlic becomes brown add the chicken pieces.
• Continue to flip the chicken, until it is white on all the sides.
• Now is the time to add rice to the pan, stir well and then add diced tomatoes and mix well.
• Move the rice to one side and pour little oil on the pan.
• When the oil heats up crack an egg on the oil and let the egg solidify a little.
• When the egg is solid flip rice on top and mix well.
• Add both the soy sauce, sugar and salt to the rice, stir well and turn off the heat.
• Remove the rice in a plate and garnish with scallions and pepper powder.
• Serve with lime wedges, cucumber slices and a small bowl of fish sauce.

Recipe # 2
This is one of the most popular methods to make Thai fried rice, as it is made with shrimp recipe.

Ingredients

• Olive Oil 2 tbsp
• Garlic (minced) 1 ½ tsp
• Green Onions (thinly slices) ½ cup
• Jalapeño Chilies (minced with the seeds) 4 tsp
• Cooked Jasmine Rice 3 cups
• Sugar 1 tsp
• Soy Sauce 2 tbsp
• Fish Sauce 2 tbsp
• Shelled and cooked Shrimp 1 ¼ cups
• Fresh Cilantro (chopped) 1 cup
• Fresh Basil Leaves (1 cup)
• Toasted Sesame Oil 1 tsp

Method

• Pour oil into a wok or a pan and let it heat over medium heat.
• Add garlic, onions, jalapeño chilies to the oil and stir often for about 4 minutes.
• Now add rice, sugar, soy and fish sauce to the onions and stir well.
• Reduce the heat to medium and stir the rice often, till all ingredients are well coated. This will take about 3 to 4 minutes.
• At last add shrimp, cilantro, basil, sesame oil and stir well again for about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Serve hot with cucumber slices and lemon wedges.

After reading the recipes, are you concerned about nutrition in this rice? We will start with calories in Thai rice. There are about 345 calories in per serving of the rice. There is 18 grams protein, 9.5 grams fat, 50 grams of carbohydrate and 1.4 grams of fiber. When you are making the rice, it is recommended, you use a wok to make the rice and also use high heat. This will lend the right taste to the rice. If you do not have a wok, then you can use non-stick pan as well.