Pineapple Fried Rice
Hello, food adventurers! Gourmet Gus is back to share a Cozy Hollow Café favorite. Let’s start cooking up our Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe. Firstly, lets learn about the dish and our ingredients.
Introducing new foods and flavors can be difficult when dealing with picky eaters. However, this Pineapple Fried Rice recipe is a great way to introduce new flavors to young kids, including picky eaters. This dish is not only fun to make, but it’s also colorful and delicious, making it a hit quick and easy family favorite. So, let’s start learning and cooking together!
Origin of Pineapple Fried Rice
Gourmet Gus here, and today we’re diving into the origins of our Pineapple Fried Rice recipe. This delicious dish hails from the country of Thailand, where it’s better known as Khao Pad Sapparot! Pineapple Fried Rice is an example of Thai cuisine using fruit to create a sweet and tangy flavor profile. Pineapple Fried Rice became a popular dish both domestically and internationally, thanks to a blend of flavors and vibrant colors. Traditionally this dish features jasmine rice, which is stir-fried with vegetables, seasonings, soy sauce, fish sauce, and chili paste. The leading role in any Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe is pineapple, which in chunks is added and stir-fried until caramelized. Parents can easily cook this dish with their kids, as it’s simple to prepare and bursting with delightful flavors. Additionally, it’s a great opportunity for kids to learn about different ingredients and cooking techniques.
Key Ingredients and Flavors
Ready to explore with Gourmet Gus and his flavor adventure of our Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe? This is definitely an easy dish to make but it also packs a variety of exciting flavors! Including not only pineapple, but rice, carrots, peas, and scrambled eggs are the key ingredients that marry perfectly in this dish.
Although different in flavors, these ingredients work together creating a colorful, tasty, and nutritious dish that will please even picky eaters. Sweet and tangy flavor of the pineapple pairs with the savory rice, while carrots and green peas add a little bit of crunch. Scrambled eggs bring that extra layer of flavor and depth, but also brings the health protein into the mix. Although, many tradition Pineapple Fried Rice recipes include some intimidating sauces such as oyster sauce and fish sauce, we have options for the more familiar too Worcestershire sauce and hoisin sauce. Nevertheless both sauce types will bring a distinct and bold flavor to the delicious Pineapple Fried Rice recipe.
Served on the Side
Try serving this Pineapple Fired Rice recipe with a veggie stir-fry like carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas to add some color and nutrition to your plate. Additionally, add the optional grilled chicken featured in the recipe for a complete meal! Another more traditional option would be some tasty spring rolls, adding a crunchy texture to your meal. Do not vere away from new sides and flavors, but experiment to find what works best for the family when cooking with kids.
Cooking this Thai inspired Pineapple Fried Rice recipe earns a Kid Effort Score of 2 out of 5. With adult supervision, many steps become kid-friendly though involving a knife and hot stove. Additionally, parents wanting to teach knife skills should buy a kid-safe knife. Cooking with kids is a fun and educational activity, which helps kids learn about new cuisines.
Attention Parents!
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Pan or Wok
- 1 Wooden Spoon
- 1 Knife
- 1 Kid Safe Knife (When practicing knife skills)
- 1 Sauce Pot
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Cooked Rice (preferable day old)
- 2 Tbsp Avocado or Canola Oil (1 Tbsp if not using Chicken)
- 1/2 Onion Chopped, Small Dice
- 1 Cup Frozen Peas & Carrot
- 1 Cup Diced Pineapple (Fresh or Defrost if Frozen)
- 2 Large Eggs, Lightly Beaten
- 1 Lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken cut into Cubes (Optional)
- 2 Tbsp Brewed Soy Sauce
- 2 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Hoisin Sauce (or Oyster Sauce)
- 8 Drops Worcestershire Sauce (or Fish Sauce) Fish sauce definitely more adventurous for kids
- To Taste Salt & Pepper
- Yum Yum Sauce (Optional for service)
Instructions
- (Go to Step 3 if not using chicken) Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken cubes and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and lightly browned, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add the frozen peas and carrots, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the diced pineapple tot he skillet, and cook for another minute or two, until the pineapple is heated through.
- Push the vegetables and pineapple to one side of the skillet, and pour the beaten eggs into the empty side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked.
- Add the cooked rice and chicken to the skillet. Mix everything until the rice and chicken are heated through.
- Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar and Worcestershire sauce (or oyster/fish sauce, if preferred), and stir until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the Pineapple Fried Rice hot, with Yum Yum Sauce on top, if desired.
