Thai Green Curry Fried Rice With Shrimp

Fried rice is a staple dish throughout Southeast Asia, and every family and country has its own version. It's often a creative way to utilize leftover vegetables and rice, resulting in a variety of recipes. I stumbled upon my green curry fried rice while rummaging through my fridge for leftovers. Fortunately, I had rice leftover from the previous day, along with an abundance of vegetables and fresh herbs. I always prepare Thai green curry pastes in large batches and freeze it, which led to the birth of my green curry fried rice.

Having extra Thai green curry pastes or cooked rice on hand can be a lifesaver on days when you lack inspiration or are pressed for time. This enables you to whip up a satisfying meal in under 30 minutes. This fried rice recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and serves 4 people. Feel free to substitute shrimp with chicken, beef, pork, tofu, or any leftover grilled meat from the fridge.

Step 1
This fried rice recipe begins much like a traditional green curry, but we'll thicken the sauce so the rice can absorb it and fry again. Start by heating 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the curry paste and fry for 3 minutes. Then, pour in the coconut milk, lime leaves, and palm sugar, bringing it to a simmer.

Step 2
Once the curry is simmering, add the pea eggplant, chopped snake beans, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms. Stir occasionally as the sauce cooks. After 2-3 minutes, add the shrimp. When the shrimp firm up and turn pink, the sauce should be reduced by about half. Now, add the fish sauce and rice. Increase the heat to high and keep the rice moving.

Step 3
Initially, the rice may seem a bit wet, but after a few minutes, you'll hear the pan change sounds as it begins to fry. After about 5 minutes of stirring, and if you're satisfied with the texture, remove the wok from the heat and stir in the Thai basil. It's time to plate up! Garnish with spring onion, red chili, lime wedges, and cucumber slices. Enjoy!

Chefs tip
"If you made a Thai green curry earlier in the week and you have leftovers. You can use your leftover curry to create the Thai green curry fried rice. just make sure to reduce your sauce and add some fresh veggies and you are good to go!"