Internationally Inspired Recipe Number Three: Curried Pineapple Fried Rice

One of our favorite restaurants in Lake Arrowhead is Papaya Bay. When I lived at home my parents would often get take-out from the Thai restaurant and Pineapple Fried Rice was always one of the dishes that I would order. I have had this dish at other restaurants but I don’t think it’s the same. Here is my take on a sweet and spicy vegan thai fried rice.

Ingredients

• 3 cups white or brown short grain rice, pinch of salt
• 6 cups water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. sesame oil
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 cup raisins (I used golden)
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 3 green onions cut in 1 inch pieces
• 4 oz. extra firm tofu cut into 1″ slices
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1″ piece of ginger minced
• 8oz. light coconut milk
• 4 tsp. sriracha hot sauce
• 8 oz. can pineapple tidbits drained
• 2 tsp. peanut oil
• 1-2 tbsp. Curry powder or paste (If using paste, I reccommend red)
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• 10 basil leaves

Directions

1. If possible, steam the rice an hour before you stir-fry it. In a medium sauce pan bring the water, rice, and salt to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and steam the rice for about 20 minutes (40 min. for brown rice). Let it cool to room temperature.While the rice is steaming, prepare the marinade and other ingredients for the fried rice.
2. For the marinade:In a small bowl, add soy sauce, sesame oil, crushed garlic, sugar, and 2 tsp. sriracha sauce. Whisk well, add the tofu and let it marinate while you prepare the rest, stir occasionally.
3. Heat the oil in a wok over high heat until hot. Add the garlic, ginger and curry and cook for a few seconds, stirring constantly.
4. Add the green onions, raisins, and cashews stirring constantly for a few minutes.
5. Add the tofu and marinade, stir a few minutes more.
6. Add the rice and stir until well heated through and starting to color. Add 2 tsp. sriracha sauce and turmeric to the coconut milk, mix well, add it to the rice and stir for several minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed. Add the pineapple, stir for a couple minutes, add the basil and stir until it begins to wilt.