Winter is here, and the chilly weather makes stepping out for grocery shopping less appealing. What better way to embrace the season than by whipping up a delicious meal with ingredients you already have in your pantry? One staple that every Thai kitchen boasts is Nam Prik Pao, also known as chilli paste in soybean oil. This versatile condiment is a must-have, essential for various dishes such as stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, stir-fried pork, Tom Yum soup, or even as a dip for pork crackers. You can also spread it on toast like peanut butter or Vegemite!
What is Nam Prik Pao?
Nam Prik Pao is a unique Thai condiment made from roasted chillies and other aromatics, lending a smoky, sweet, and slightly spicy flavour. The word “Pao” means roasted or grilled with fire, which gives this paste its distinctive smokiness. The ingredients typically include sugar, soybean oil, garlic, shallots, dried chillies, tamarind juice, fish sauce, salt, and dried shrimp. The balance of sweetness from sugar, savoury and salty dried shrimp, and a hint of sourness makes this paste an all-in-one Thai seasoning.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to hit you with another stir-fry recipe today because, let’s be honest, we need something even easier for our lazy weeknight cooking sessions. Today’s dish is the ultimate comfort food found in kitchens around the world: Fried Rice! Our protein star is the prawn, and yes, you can totally use those frozen ones sitting in your freezer. The key to perfect fried rice is using Lion Jasmine Rice that’s been cooked and left overnight—trust me, it makes all the difference. We only need a few fresh ingredients for this, so let’s dive into our ingredient list!
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 ½ tbsp Maesri Nam Prik Pao
- 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 tsp Fish Sauce
- 3 Bird-eye Chillies
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 6 Tiger Prawns
- 1 cup Lion Jasmine Rice (cooked and left overnight)
- 1-2 Kaffir Lime Leaves (finely sliced)
- 1 Spring Onion (finely sliced)
- 1 Lion Rice Paper 22cm
- Cos Lettuce for garnish
Instructions
Fried Rice
- Add vegetable oil to a pan and heat it up. Then, add sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add a spoonful of Nam Prik Pao to your liking, then toss in the deveined tiger prawns.
- Season with oyster sauce and fish sauce, stirring well to combine.
- Add the steamed rice, breaking up any clumps. Stir in the chopped bird-eye chillies, spring onions, and kaffir lime leaves.
- Stir well until the rice and ingredients are evenly mixed and cooked through.
Crispy Rice Paper
- Cut the rice paper into four pieces and heat oil in a pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the rice paper pieces and fry quickly until they puff up and become crispy.
Serving
Serve the fried rice with fresh cos lettuce and crispy rice paper on the side. For an extra touch, you can garnish with a lime wedge, Prik Nam Pla (chillies in seasoned fish sauce), or even add a fried egg.
The Perfect Winter Comfort Food
This fried rice with chilli jam prawns is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. The combination of the smoky Nam Prik Pao, fresh prawns, and crispy rice paper creates a dish that is both comforting and satisfying. The best part is that it utilises ingredients you likely already have at home, making it perfect for a cosy night in.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Flavourful: The unique blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavours in Nam Prik Pao elevates this fried rice to a new level.
- Versatile: You can customise this dish with different proteins or vegetables based on what you have available.
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for a quick meal on a busy weeknight, this dish comes together in just a few simple steps.
- Comforting: The warm, hearty nature of fried rice makes it an ideal comfort food for cold winter nights.
Stock Up on Nam Prik Pao
Make sure to keep a jar of Nam Prik Pao in your pantry. It’s a versatile ingredient that can enhance numerous dishes and is perfect for quick, flavourful meals. Add this fried rice recipe to your winter meal rotation for a delicious, easy, and heartwarming dish that you and your loved ones will enjoy.
Try this recipe tonight and experience the magic of Thai cuisine in the comfort of your own home. We bet you’ll love it!
