What is Khao Pad Kai?
Similar to Chinese prawn fried rice, but with a Thai twist, Khao Pad kai is stir-fried rice with a salty, garlicky, and spicy flavor. It is infused with tonnes of fresh garlic and spicy bird’s-eye chilies and has a distinct sweetness from Thai fish sauce.
This dish cannot be made according to a precise recipe. Any of your preferred proteins can be used in any restaurant’s or family’s unique recipe. Popular halal options include chicken, and prawns/shrimp. It can also be made using minced meat, tofu, etc. And when you cook it at home, the seasonings can be changed to your taste. If you are in Melbourne and want quality ingredients such as fresh herbs and vegetables, you can check out Greensoul Organics.
This fried rice is suitable for any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Make Khao Pad with any leftover rice from the previous day!
Khao Pad Kai ( Fried Rice)
Not just in Thailand, but all throughout the world, fried rice is a staple. Nonetheless, it is one of only three staple dishes in Thailand, along with Thai spaghetti and plain boiled rice. Fried rice is typically eaten as a standalone dish in Thailand rather than as a component of a bigger meal as it is in the west.
One of the most common errors tourists make when visiting Thailand is ordering Thai Fried Rice (Kaoh Pad) to go with their chosen main meal. Simply put, this is not how Thais prepare fried rice. They will always order plain rice if they are ordering many items. Instead, fried rice is eaten as a complete meal, typically for breakfast or lunch.
The freshness of the ingredients used to manufacture Thai Fried Rice is what really sets it apart. Thai people follow the principle of “buy today, eat today,” meaning that all food is bought fresh each morning and prepared that day. When a Thai cook makes fried rice, the meat is always tender and the vegetables are always fresh and green. Only use the freshest ingredients while cooking fried rice if you want to achieve the authentic Thai flavour.
Thai Fried Rice differs from other Asian fried rice varieties in terms of flavour for two reasons. First off, the meal is nearly often made with Jasmine rice, which has a richer, more aromatic character. Second, because a little bowl of Prik Nam Pla is served with every serving of Thai Fried Rice. Thai folks use this common condiment in place of both salt and vinegar. It is easy to prepare and only requires some minced garlic and sliced chilies to be dissolved in fish sauce. Due to the chopped chillies, the Thai Fried Rice becomes spicier and has a saltier flavour.
Thinly sliced, chilled cucumber will always be placed along the edge of the plate with the Thai Fried Rice when it is served. In the case that too many pieces of chopped chilli make their way onto a single spoonful of Thai Fried Rice, this cucumber is used to lessen the Prik Nam Pla’s searing effect. Simply put, if one bite is too spicy, add a refreshing slice of cucumber.
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Khao Pad Kai Chicken Fried Rice Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Green onions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a big wok or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil to medium-high heat. Stir-fry for one minute after adding the chopped onion and minced garlic.
- Add the diced chicken breast and stir-fry for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the chicken is well cooked and no longer pink.
- Move the mixture of chicken and onions to one side of the wok or skillet and add a further tablespoon of vegetable oil to the other side. Add the scrambled eggs and continue to cook them until they are fully cooked.
- Stir together the cooked rice, diced carrots, and frozen peas in the wok or skillet. Add the sugar, salt, pepper, soy sauce, fish sauce, and stir-fry for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until everything has thoroughly heated through.
- Taste the dish and correct the seasoning as needed. Serve hot with chopped green onions as a garnish.
Enjoy your delicious khao pad kai! If you’re looking for the best halal Thai food near you and want to try this dish, be sure to order it from Grilled Town.