Thai Pineapple Fried Rice (Printable Version)

Vibrant Thai-inspired fried rice with sweet pineapple, vegetables, and cashews presented inside a hollowed pineapple shell.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main

01 - 1 large ripe pineapple
02 - 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably day-old)
03 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
04 - 1 small onion, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium carrot, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 2 eggs, lightly beaten (optional)
09 - 1/2 cup frozen peas
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted roasted cashews
11 - 1/2 cup pineapple flesh, diced
12 - 3 scallions, sliced
13 - 1/4 cup raisins or golden sultanas (optional)

→ Seasonings & Sauces

14 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
15 - 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
16 - 1 teaspoon curry powder
17 - 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
18 - 1 teaspoon sugar
19 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish

20 - Fresh cilantro leaves
21 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Slice the pineapple in half lengthwise, keeping the leaves attached. Carefully carve out the flesh, leaving a 1/2-inch shell. Dice 1/2 cup of the pineapple flesh for the rice; save the rest for another use. Set the pineapple shells aside.
02 - Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
03 - Add the carrot and bell pepper; stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly tender.
04 - Push the vegetables to one side. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until just set (if using).
05 - Add the cooked rice, breaking up any clumps. Stir in peas, diced pineapple, cashews, and raisins (if using). Mix well.
06 - Season with soy sauce, fish sauce (if using), curry powder, white pepper, sugar, and salt. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
07 - Add the scallions and toss briefly.
08 - Spoon the fried rice into the hollowed pineapple halves. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Exotic Presentation: Using the pineapple as a serving bowl turns a simple meal into a tropical experience.
  • Balanced Flavors: The dish perfectly balances the sweetness of fruit and raisins with the savory depth of soy sauce and curry powder.
  • Customizable: Easily adaptable for vegan diets or enhanced with your favorite proteins like shrimp or chicken.
02 -
  • Dry Rice: If you only have fresh rice, spread it out on a tray and place it in front of a fan or in the fridge for 30 minutes to dry it out.
  • High Heat: Use a very hot wok to get that signature slightly smoky stir-fry flavor and ensure the vegetables stay crisp-tender.
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