Shrimp & Pineapple Fried Rice

I usually make fried rice with whatever I have in the fridge, but sometimes, I make sure to have shrimp and pineapple on hand so that I can make this Shrimp & Pineapple Fried Rice for something a little more special. It's got a little spice to it, but the sweetness from the pineapple is a pleasant counter to it.

What kind of rice to use for Shrimp & Pineapple Fried Rice?

My best answer is "leftover rice"! You really can use whatever kind of rice is your favorite, but I usually have basmati in the pantry and sometimes jasmine. I recommend cooking extra when you make some for another dinner so that you have it already cooked when you're ready to make Shrimp & Pineapple Fried Rice. If you don't have any leftover, it's a good idea to cook the rice earlier in the day to give it time to cool down a bit.

Prepare the shrimp

Peel and devein 12-15 shrimp and toss them with a bit of fish sauce. Let them sit while you prepare the vegetables.

As with all stir-fries, it works out best to cut all of the vegetables, measure out all of the spices and sauces, and get everything ready to cook before firing up the stove.

How to choose a pineapple

Look for a pineapple that looks a bit golden on the outside. It should feel just a bit soft when you press it with your thumb and it will smell fragrant.

How to make Shrimp & Pineapple Fried Rice

• Cook the shrimp with a bit of garlic and remove it to a platter.
• Add the shallot and the rest of the garlic to the wok. Then the carrots and red pepper.
• Add the pineapple and cooked rice.
• Finally, add the soy sauce (or soy sauce substitute), fish sauce, curry powder, and red pepper flakes.

How to serve Shrimp & Pineapple Fried Rice

Put the shrimp back in with the rice, add some toasted cashews, and sprinkle some cilantro over.