Know Your Food: Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice is one of the most popular varieties of rice found on the market today. A slightly sticky long grained rice, jasmine rice is very fragrant and flavorful, and it brings a uniquely delicious quality to any meal it is served with. Fresh jasmine rice has a slight nutty flavor, enhancing the taste of dishes across Asia (though basmati is preferred for Indian and Middle Eastern dishes).While you can use other types of long grained rice, jasmine is highly preferred for Thai, Chinese, and other SE Asian recipes.

While jasmine rice is delicious as a plain side for other spicier cuisines, one of my favorite recipes using this staple food is Thai Fried Rice.



One of the great things about fried rice is that it is a easy, tasty way to get rid of leftovers, as you can really put just about anything in it. Here's a good starter, feel free to change the ingredients up as you wish.

Ingredients
* 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 3 cups cooked rice
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
* 1 tablespoon thai curry paste
* 1/2 cup diced onion
* 3 cloves garlic
* 1 teaspoon white sugar
* 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1 tomato, diced
* 1/2 cup shredded carrots
* 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
* 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
* 1/2 cup green onions or shallots, diced
* 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions

1. Heat oil in wok or large pan on medium-high heat. Saute onion and garlic until onion is slightly soft. 
2. Add curry paste and stir to coat the onion in it. Add water if the pan starts to dry out. Add carrots, bell pepper, and mushrooms, then cook until tender. 
3. Mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar together in a cup then add to the pan, mixing well. 
4. Add the rice, stirring to break up clumps. Add the tomato, green onions, and peas, then cook until heated through. 
5. Serve with wedges of lime (to cut the heat if the spice is too much).