Cooking Thai Rice Blend: A Simple, Quick Guide

Thai rice is a delicious and simple dish that can be made in a variety of ways. While Thai fried rice is often made with leftover rice, Thai-style fragrant rice is made with fresh rice and cooked with coconut milk, ginger, soy sauce, lemongrass, and curry leaves. Thai fried rice typically includes garlic, fish sauce, and sometimes meat or tofu. It is cooked in a wok or large skillet and served with cucumber and tomato.

How to cook Thai rice blend in a wok

Thai rice blend is a simple and delicious dish that can be cooked in a wok or a large skillet. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook Thai rice blend in a wok:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 Thai red chillies, thinly sliced
• Vegetable oil, divided
• Chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Medium carrot, peeled and diced
• Cloves of garlic, minced
• Scallions, white and light green parts cut into 1" pieces
• Freshly minced ginger
• Cooked white rice, preferably day old
• Freshly chopped cilantro, for serving
• Lime wedges, for serving

Optional Ingredients:

• Thai black soy sauce or Chinese dark soy sauce
• Palm sugar or brown sugar
• Thai basil
• Tomato wedges and cucumber slices, for serving

Instructions:

• Combine the chillies and fish sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Heat a wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
• Add the chicken to the wok and cook until done, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
• Add another tablespoon of oil to the wok.
• Add the carrots and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic, scallions, and ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice, fish sauce mixture, and oyster sauce to the wok. Toss until the rice is well coated.
• Push the rice to one side of the wok and add a little more oil if needed.
• Add the beaten eggs to the other side of the wok and scramble until just set.
• Combine the eggs with the rice and add the chicken back to the wok.
• Stir everything together and serve with cilantro, lime wedges, and any remaining fish sauce mixture.

Tips:

• For a more authentic Thai flavour, use Thai black soy sauce instead of Chinese dark soy sauce.
• Thai basil and palm sugar or brown sugar can be added for extra flavour.
• Serve with plain wedges of tomato and slices of cucumber for a truly authentic Thai experience.
• For vegetarian Thai rice, use firm tofu instead of chicken.
• Cold, day-old rice is best for fried rice as it absorbs more flavour and crisps up during cooking.

The best type of rice to use for Thai rice blend

Thai rice blend is typically made with jasmine rice, which is grown primarily in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It is the preferred rice for Thai fried rice and is also used in Thai coconut rice.

Jasmine rice has a subtle floral aroma and a distinctive flavour that sets it apart from other long-grain rice varieties. It is also moister and naturally slightly sticky, with a soft and fluffy texture when cooked.

For Thai fried rice, it is recommended to use cold, day-old cooked rice, as it dries out and the grains separate, making it easier to stir-fry. Freshly cooked rice, on the other hand, can become gluey when stir-fried.

If you don't have jasmine rice, you can substitute it with long-grain or medium-grain rice for Thai fried rice.

How to prepare the rice for Thai rice blend

Preparing the rice is a crucial step in making Thai rice blend. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, it is important to use the right type of rice. Jasmine rice is the preferred choice for Thai fried rice. It is grown primarily in Thailand and has a distinct aroma and flavour that complements the dish. If jasmine rice is unavailable, long-grain or medium-grain rice can be used as a substitute.

For best results, it is recommended to use cold, day-old cooked rice. Freshly cooked rice tends to become sticky and gluey when stir-fried. To achieve the ideal texture for fried rice, the rice grains should be separate and easy to stir-fry. Therefore, it is advisable to cook the rice beforehand and let it cool completely before using it for the Thai blend. Refrigerating the rice overnight will help dry out the grains and improve the final texture.

If you are cooking the rice specifically for the Thai blend, follow these steps:

• Rinse the rice: Place the rice in a sieve or colander and rinse it under cold running water to remove surface starch. This step helps reduce stickiness.
• Cook the rice: Use a rice cooker or follow instructions for steaming or cooking the rice in a pot on the stove. The amount of rice needed for the Thai blend is typically around 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 US cups of uncooked rice to make 5 cups of cooked rice.
• Cool the rice: Allow the cooked rice to cool down completely. Spread it on a tray or plate to expedite the cooling process.
• Break up clumps: If using leftover rice, break up any clumps of rice with your fingers. Wetting your hand slightly can help prevent the rice from sticking to your hands.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly prepared rice that is ready to be used in your Thai rice blend.

The best ingredients to add to Thai rice blend

Thai rice blend is a versatile dish that can be customised with various ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Here are some of the best ingredients to add to your Thai rice blend:

Fish Sauce

Fish sauce is a staple in Thai cuisine and adds a unique, pungent flavour to the dish. It is often considered the most important ingredient in Thai-style fried rice, giving it a boost of umami and a smoky depth of flavour.

Garlic

Garlic is commonly used in Thai cooking and adds a spicy kick to the dish. It is usually added later in the cooking process to retain its strong flavour and aroma.

Thai Basil

Thai basil has a distinct, slightly sweet and spicy herbal flavour. While it is not a vital ingredient, it is a delicious addition that gives a unique twist to your Thai rice blend.

Chilli

Adding chillies to your Thai rice blend will give it a spicy kick. You can use Thai red chillies or bird's eye chillies, depending on your preference for spice.

Lime

Lime wedges are often served with Thai fried rice to add a refreshing acidity that complements the other flavours in the dish. Squeezing lime juice onto the rice while eating enhances its flavour.

Meat or Seafood

You can add protein to your Thai rice blend, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, crabmeat, or squid. For a vegetarian option, tofu is a great alternative.

How to serve Thai rice blend

Thai rice blend can be served in a variety of ways, depending on your preferences and the ingredients you have on hand. Here are some ideas on how to serve Thai rice blend:

As a Side Dish:

In Thailand, Thai fried rice is often served simply with plain wedges of tomato and slices of cucumber. You can also serve it with wedges of lime, which adds a refreshing acidity to the dish.

With Protein:

Traditionally, Thai fried rice is accompanied by some kind of animal protein such as squid, crabmeat, ham, or chicken. If you prefer a vegetarian option, tofu is a great alternative.

With Other Dishes:

Thai fried rice can be served as part of a multi-dish banquet alongside other Thai dishes such as grilled marinated Thai chicken, southern Thai turmeric chicken, Thai red curry or green curry, Thai chilli basil chicken, cashew chicken stir-fry, pad Thai, and pad see ew.

With Garnishes and Condiments:

Garnish your Thai rice blend with fresh herbs like cilantro/coriander, Thai basil, or scallions. You can also serve it with condiments like fish sauce, soy sauce, or a concoction of fish sauce and Thai red chilis (prik nam pla) for an extra spicy and salty kick.

Frequently asked questions