We have an Australian cookbook called Thai Cooking that was originally published in 1994. Jono remembers it from home in Melbourne and we know other members of his family who also have a well-used copy. After much searching we managed to pick up a second-hand copy in Books for Cooks in Fitzroy. It’s full of reliable dishes like this simple Thai fried rice. You could have it as a side dish but we prefer to eat a big bowl by itself with some sriracha hot chilli sauce (our own addition!).
Thai Fried Rice – Khao Pad – serves 4
- 100ml vegetable oil
- 3 medium onions, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste
- 500g cooked peeled prawns, beef, pork, chicken or ham (any combination)
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 880g cooked rice, cooked the day before and chilled
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 pepper, sliced
- 50g green beans, finely sliced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped scallions
- coriander leaves (to garnish)
- sriracha hot chilli sauce, to serve (optional)
Heat the oil in a large wok or frying pan over a medium heat. Stir-fry the onions and garlic until the garlic is golden. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve, then stir in the curry paste. Stir in the prawns and meat pieces and push to one side.
Add the beaten eggs. Wait to let them set a little, then slightly scramble.
Add the rice. Stir-fry until heated through. Sprinkle with fish sauce, then add the pepper, green beans, tomato and spring onions. Stir-fry briefly to heat through but don’t overcook.
Taste and add some extra fish sauce or sugar if needed. Serve garnished with coriander leaves and a drizzle of sriracha hot chilli sauce if that’s your thing.
(Original recipe from Thai Cooking Class by Sami Anuntra Miller & Patricia Lake, Bay Books, 1994.)
Jono & Jules do food & wine 
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