HOW TO PREPARE KHOA PAD.

“Khoa Phat” or “Khao Pad”, which is Thai for “fried rice”. Thai fried rice is a popular dish and varies depending on the ingredients used. The basic Thai fried rice recipe is simple, yet full of flavor.

Ingredients:

2 cups of cold, day-old cooked jasmine rice (best if left in the fridge overnight)
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or any neutral oil
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup diced onions
1-2 eggs
2 tablespoons of soy sauce (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (optional)
1/2 cup of mixed vegetables (like carrots, bell peppers, and peas)
1/2 cup of your choice of protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu, etc.), chopped into bite-sized pieces
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
1 lime wedge
Fresh ground black pepper and salt to taste
Procedure:

Prepare the Rice: If your rice is clumping together, break it apart gently with your hands. Cold, day-old rice works best because it’s drier than freshly cooked rice.

Heat the Pan: In a wok or large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.

Sauté Aromatics: Add the garlic and onions. Stir-fry until they’re fragrant but not browned.

Add the Protein: Add your choice of protein (chicken, shrimp, or tofu) to the pan. Cook until it’s almost done.

Push to the Side & Scramble the Egg: Push your protein and aromatics to one side of the pan. Crack the egg(s) into the other side. Quickly scramble the eggs until they’re fully cooked.

Add Rice: Add the cold rice to the pan. Use a spatula to break up any clumps and stir everything together.

Season: Drizzle the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using) over the rice. Stir-fry everything together to ensure the rice is well coated and the ingredients are well distributed.

Add Vegetables: Toss in the mixed vegetables. Stir-fry for a few more minutes until the vegetables are cooked yet still crisp.

Finish & Serve: Turn off the heat, then mix in the green onions and fresh cilantro. Serve the fried rice with a lime wedge for squeezing over the top, and season with some black pepper and salt as needed.

You can adjust this basic recipe to suit your preferences by adding different proteins, vegetables, or sauces. Some popular variations of Thai fried rice include pineapple fried rice or basil fried rice. Enjoy!