Thai Shrimp Fried Rice with Crispy Lemongrass
https://www.seriouseats.com/shrimp-fried-rice-nam-prik-pao-lemongrass-recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 4 stalks lemongrass, bottom 4 to 5 inches only, outer leaves discarded, tender core thinly sliced (about 90g sliced lemongrass)
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- ¾ pound (340g) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cups (720g) leftover cooked long-grain rice
- ¼ cup (68g) store-bought or Nam Prik Pao (see note)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) fish sauce, plus more to taste
- 1 lime, quartered
- ½ English cucumber, peeled and sliced
DIRECTIONS
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In an 8-inch skillet or 1-quart saucepan, combine lemongrass slices and oil. Place over low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until lemongrass turns light brown, about 20 minutes. Pour lemongrass mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl (lemongrass will continue cooking for a brief period after draining, so do not allow them to get too dark). Set aside.
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In a 12-inch skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of the reserved lemongrass oil over high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp and cook, stirring frequently, until shrimp starts to turn opaque, about 2 minutes. Add rice, nam prik pao, and fish sauce and stir until rice is thoroughly coated with nam prik pao. Season rice with additional fish sauce to taste.
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To serve, garnish with fried lemongrass and slices of cucumber and lime wedges alongside.