Thai Crispy Rice Food

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 WHOLE THAI FRIED FISH WITH GINGER TAMARIND SAUCE AND COCONUT-CILANTRO RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Special equipment: A large Dutch oven or deep wok, deep-fry thermometer and two 12-inch bamboo skewers
• Prepare the ginger tamarind sauce: In large saute pan over medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup of the canola oil and allow to heat. Add the garlic, shallots and fresh ginger and saute until fragrant and the shallots are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the soy sauce, sugar, tamarind paste, fish sauce, sambal and 1/2 cup water. Stir well and cook until the mixture is slightly reduced and has a maple syrup-like consistency, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Preheat 4 to 5 inches of canola oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or deep wok. You need enough oil so the whole fish can be submerged.
• Prepare the fish: Make 3 diagonal slices into the flesh of one side of the snapper, cutting all the way to the bone and spacing the slices 2 inches apart. Repeat with the other side of the fish.
• Combine the cornstarch, rice flour, granulated garlic, ground ginger, salt and pepper in a large baking dish. Lightly dredge the fish all over with the seasoned flour, including inside the cuts. Shake off any excess flour, then form the fish into an "S" curve by threading two 12-inch bamboo skewers through the tail and body so it holds its wavy shape.
• Carefully place the fish into the hot oil so it is almost completely submerged. Fry the fish until deep golden and very crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. As it cooks, use a large metal spoon or ladle to carefully pour hot oil over any exposed part of the fish to ensure it cooks evenly. Carefully remove the fish from the oil and place on a wire rack to drain briefly. Season immediately with salt and lime juice. Carefully remove the skewers from the fish, and place it upright on a platter of Coconut-Cilantro Rice Pilaf. Pour the ginger tamarind sauce over the top. Garnish with the chilies and scallions.
• Rinse the rice by running it under cold water 2 or 3 times until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and ensures the rice comes out light and fluffy.
• Heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the chili flakes and rice and stir well to coat the kernels evenly with oil. Add the coconut milk, salt, sugar and 1 cup water. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook until all the liquid has absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat, keep covered and allow the rice to sit for 5 minutes to steam. Before serving, add the cilantro and fluff with a fork. Yield: 4 to 6 servings

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.)

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 CHICKEN WITH CRISPY SHALLOTS IN YELLOW RICE (KAO MOKE GAI)

Steps:

• Combine the cayenne, cumin, coriander, turmeric, pepper, and 1/2 tsp of salt in a small bowl and mix well.
• Sprinkle half of the spice mixture over the chicken pieces, rubbing in to coat well. Set aside coated chicken and remaining spice mixture. Be careful with the spices, as turmeric will leave a yellow stain if it gets on clothing!
• In a dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until well-browned. Remove chicken to a shallow bowl, cover, and set aside.
• Spoon off some of the oil from the Dutch oven, leaving about 2 tbsp, taking care not to remove any of the browned bits left from the chicken. Reheat the oil and saute the ginger slices for about 30 seconds, turning and pressing down to release the juices. Add garlic and saute, stirring and turning constantly, until golden brown (about 30-45 seconds). If it gets too hot and starts to darken, just add a 1/4 cup or so of water and deglaze (beware of splatters!).
• Add onion and remaining spice mixture to pan. Saute until onion is tender, about 1 minute. Add rice and toss until coated with spiced oil and beginning to turn translucent.
• Add the water and 1 1/2 tsp salt to rice. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Boil rice until surface is dry and grains begin to swell, about 5-7 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low. Return chicken to pan, burying each piece near the bottom of the pan under the rice. Add any juices that have collected in the bowl to the pan. Smooth surface of rice to hide chicken completely. Cover pan and cook over low heat until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small wok or skillet, pour in oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking (to test, drop a piece of shallot in oil; if it sizzles right away, the oil is ready). Sprinkle sliced shallots over the hot oil and, with a fork, separate the rings and turn them over quickly. When most of the shallots are golden brown, remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towels to drain. When cool enough to touch, spread out on a small plate and set aside, uncovered.
• When the rice and chicken are done, remove from heat and let stand, covered, for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare sauce and garnishes.
• In a small glass mixing bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt, stirring until dissolved and thickened. Sprinkle chilie slices over sauce and transfer to a small, non-reactive serving bowl.
• To serve, remove chicken from rice, scraping away any clinging rice grains, and set aside. Fluff the rice with a fork, remove and discard the ginger slices, and mound on a serving platter. Arrange chicken pieces on the platter. Garnish with cucumber slices, cilantro leaves, and crispy shallots. Serve warm or room temperature along with sauce.

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.