Thai Crispy Rice Recipes

THAI CRISPY RICE

Steps:

• Stir oil into cooked rice.
• Heat a wok or skillet over medium heat. As soon as the pan is hot, spread the rice out in a single, even layer in the pan (spread it out up the sides of the wok if possible; maximum surface area makes for the most crispy bits).
• Cook the rice, without stirring, until the bottom is a light golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in nam prik Pao and soy sauce, breaking the rice up into bite-size bits as you stir.
• Taste the rice and if it is very dry, you can add an extra splash of soy sauce.
• Stir in lime juice.
• Serve rice with fried eggs and fresh chopped herbs on top.

CRISPY RICE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
• Place the rice in a large bowl, rinse with cold water and drain in a colander until the water runs totally clear. Drain well.
• Add the rice to the pot and boil until the grains are soft on the outside but still hard at the center, about 6 minutes. Drain the rice and rinse under cold water.
• Measure out 1 1/4 cups of the parcooked rice and transfer to a bowl; stir in the yogurt, the 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Melt the oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter together over medium-low heat in a 2- to 3-quart nonstick pot with a tight-fitting lid. Add the yogurt rice and spread it evenly to cover the bottom of the pot. Add the remaining rice, mounding it into a pyramid shape. Insert the handle of a wooden spoon into the mound 3 or 4 times to make vents for steam to escape. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the rice starts to steam, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot, first with a clean towel and then with a lid. Steam until the rice is fully cooked and a golden brown crust has formed on the bottom, about 50 minutes.
• Spoon the loose rice onto a platter, then use a firm spatula to remove the crust from the pan. Top the rice with the crust and sprinkle with the parsley and sumac if using. Serve immediately.

THAI CRISPY RICE NOODLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Separate the rice noodles by pulling apart the various sections into manageable amounts. Using scissors, cut the noodles into strips 4 to 5 inches long.
• Place the oil in a wok or small to medium frying pan. The smaller the pan, the less oil you will have to use. Heat the oil over medium-high heat for a minimum of 1 minute.
• Take a few longer noodle pieces in your hand and dunk just the ends into the hot oil. If the oil is hot enough, the submerged parts will bloom within seconds into puffy, crispy noodles. If this doesn't happen, remove the submerged parts and cut them off. Wait a little longer for your oil to heat up, then try again.
• Once the oil is ready, gently drop handfuls of the noodles into the hot oil.
• Have a utensil at the ready to quickly flip them once. The actual cooking time is only a few seconds.
• Set the puffed noodles to drain on paper towels. Sprinkle a little salt over them if desired. Continue frying the rest of your noodles. (You may need to reduce the heat to medium to avoid burning.)

MEE KROB (THAI CRISP FRIED NOODLES)

Steps:

• Gather all ingredients together before commencing to cook.
• Cover tamarind pulp with 2/3 cup hot water, and crush and break up pulp with a fork.
• Let stand for 20 minutes, then pour mixture through a strainer and press to extract the liquid.
• Reserve 4 tablespoons of tamarind liquid for the sauce.
• Place rice vermicelli inside a large paper or plastic bag, and break into pieces.
• Heat peanut oil until very hot (between 375 deg F and 400 deg F).
• Fry noodles in small batches until they puff up and turn light to golden brown – each batch will only take a few seconds (allow oil to get hot again between batches).
• Remove at once with a slotted spoon, or wire strainer, and drain immediately on paper towels.
• Next, deep fry the diced tofu until golden brown, drain and keep warm in a low oven.
• Lastly, drizzle the egg into the oil in a circular fashion, and cook for around 30 seconds until golden brown and crisp on both sides.
• Remove egg from oil, break or slice into pieces, and keep warm in a low oven with the tofu.
• Combine the sauce ingredients, including the reserved tamarind liquid, in a saucepan, and bring to boil, stirring constantly.
• Allow to simmer a few minutes until the liquid reduces in volume by about one third and starts to turn syrupy, then remove from heat and set aside.
• Pour oil from wok, reserving one tablespoon, and stir-fry the garlic, green onion, and one of the chilies until they start to color, about one minute.
• Add the meat and/or shrimp and stir-fry until just cooked, about one minute.
• Add the prepared sauce to the wok and toss all ingredients together until steaming hot.
• Mound the crisp fried noodles on a serving platter and spoon the sauce over.
• Scatter with bean sprouts, cilantro, the remaining sliced chilli, the deep-fried tofu, and the chopped egg.
• Serve immediately, as the noodles will soften after about 10 minutes.

THAI CRISPY RICE LETTUCE WRAPS

Steps:

• 1-2 cup(s) steamed rice, mixed with 1-2 TB red curry paste (and a bit of flour) - allow to dry out a bit or bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes.
• Heat skillet very hot with 1 TB oil, add rice allowing to puff and jump, set aside and cook ground chicken in same skillet.
• Add 2 TB fish sauce (or to taste).
• add 3 TB fresh lime juice (or to taste).
• Add: 3 inch piece peeled, slivered ginger, ½ cup sliced green onion, ½ red onion slivered, and ½ bunch cilantro chopped.
• Serve on romaine lettuce leaves with red bell pepper garnish.

THAI BEEF FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Warm vegetable oil and sesame oil in a wok or large skillet. Add bell pepper, onion, and green onion; cook for 2 minutes. Add ground beef, sprinkle garlic powder over mixture, and cook for 1 minute longer.
• Stir in diced tomato, fish sauce, and soy sauce; saute for 2 minutes. Add rice, mix until combined, and cook until heated through, 7 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and squeeze lime wedged over top.
• Pour beaten egg into a separate, small pan and let cook for 30 seconds. Lift the edges of the omelet so that any uncooked egg runs under the cooked edges and comes into contact with the hot skillet. Shake and tilt the skillet to move the uncooked egg. Repeat until the top is set, about 4 minutes.
• Divide rice into two portions and serve 1/2 of the omelet over each serving.