FOODY CORNERS

CHAPTER 11: PINEAPPLE RICE

• PINEAPPLE RICE

This recipe is borrowed from the HOT THAI KITCHEN.

Ingredients:
 Fresh pineapple
 Curry powder
 Plain jasmine rice or coconut rice
 Shrimp
 Cashew
 Tomato
 Fish sauce
 Soy sauce
 Sugar
 Salt
 White pepper
 Eggs
 Onions
 Green onions

How to make a pineapple bowl:
1. Cut the pineapple in half right through the green top, then use a sharp paring knife to score the pineapple all around the edges to create the bowl shape. Don't get to close to the edge or your bowl will be flimsy.
2. Cut along the two sides of the core, angling your knife 45 degrees, going deep enough to make sure the two cuts meet.
3. Remove the core; this is what will allow the pieces to be ready to use without further chopping.
4. Score the pineapple into a grid, making each piece around 1-cm wide, then use a flat-ish spoon to scoop out the pieces. The bottom part is trickier to remove, but just hack it however you need to, as you will already have enough nice pieces for the fried rice by the time you get there.

Preparing the rice:
1. Sear the shrimp in a hot work until they are done. Remove from the pan.
2. In the same pan, add the eggs and scramble until 90% cooked.
3. Add the rice and onions and toss to mix.
4. Add all dry spices and seasonings and toss until well distributed.
5. Add the pineapple and toss until the pineapple is heated through, then let the rice toast while flipping a few times to develop some charring.
6. Off heat, add the tomatoes, cashews and green onions.
7. Toss briefly just until mixed.

Serving:
Serve on a plate or in the pineapple bowl and put the shrimp on top!

Note: Making coconut rice is as simple as replacing half of the water with coconut milk, in a rice cooker or stove-top. If you have a pandan leaf handy, throw it in as well. The fat in the coconut milk coats the grains, making them separate beautifully, and I've never had an easier time getting fried rice seasoning to coat every grain. It's as simple as replacing half of the water with coconut milk when you cook rice, so no extra work added there.