Monday, November 8, 2010

Thai Fried Rice with Clams and Holy Basil

When it comes to left-over white rice, it is astonishing what type of ingredients you could add to it to turn this into a simple fried rice dish. I would usually cook a Chinese fried rice version using Chinese sausages, frozen mixed vegetables and eggs. However this time round I wanted to do something different and be a bit more adventurous.

I decided on a Thai version using fresh basil as one of the key ingredients. So when I happened to be at my local supermarket buying groceries, I came across fresh white clams. I thought to myself “heh, how about some clams to go with the Thai fried rice! I could add some long beans as well.” I must confess that I had concocting this recipe as I was walking through the aisle in the supermarket. So with this in mind, I started to throw packs of ingredients into my shopping basket. If you are not into clams, you can use prawns or even chicken meat as substitute. And again if long beans are not your “thing” substitute with frozen mixed vegetables, peas, carrots, corn … or just do your own thing! The dish will still come out delicious.

Basil fried rice 1


Basil fried rice 2


Thai Fried Rice with Clams and Holy Basil
Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, roughly minced
1 ½ Tbsp of Thai chillie paste (found in local Asian groceries. Vary the chilli paste according to your taste)
2 cups heaped cold cooked rice
200g - 250g white clams, shell intact and thoroughly cleaned
1 ½ Tbsp fish sauce, or more to taste
¾ cup of long beans, chopped to ¼” thick
1/2 cup loosely packed Thai holy basil (regular basil ok)
2 medium sized eggs, lightly beaten
Dash of white pepper
1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and extra sprigs for decoration

Method:

1) In a wok or large skillet over medium fire, heat up the oil. Add the garlic and fry until lightly browned

2) Then add in the chilli paste and stir fry for about a minute. Add in the clams and basil leaves, and fry for about 2 minutes. Add the long beans and fry until slightly soften (not too soft). Add the cold rice and fry for about 3 to 4 minutes.

3) Add fish sauce and pepper. Then drizzle the beaten egg onto the rice and stir to mix well. Fry for another 1 to 2 minutes.

4) Finally add in the chopped fresh cilantro. Dish out warm and serve with lime wedges, Thai chillie sauce and cilantro for decoration.


Basil fried rice 3


Basil fried rice 4

16 comments:

Bakericious said...

Jo, I am not a clam person and this is the 1st time I seeing clams in fried rice, you are so creative :D

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Jo, as I looked at the ingredients, I already know this would be a great tasting fried rice. What is this Thai chilli paste? It is not the sweet chilli sauce right?

Jo said...

Shirley, no it's not the sweet chilli sauce. It's chilli paste and you can find it either at Golden Mile or cold storage. It comes in different sizes. See picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/bratkun/244448624/

ann low said...

I love fried rice with any type of ingredients in it. Your fried rice with clams looks so delicious with basil...yum..yum..

Marina Mott said...

Yummy...So delicious!!xx

busygran said...

Jo, novel indeed to add clams to the rice! I've got leftover rice but no clams. Maybe I'll just do a simple version.

Smoky Wok (formerly Tastes of Home) said...

This looks so yummy - leftover rice put to excellent use! I admit I also concoct dishes while walking around in the supermarket hehe

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Wow, sounds kind of exotic! This is definitely not your usual fried the left over rice thingy, lol! But yum, seafood and fragrant basil is definitely a good combo!

Kitchen Corner said...

WOW! Fried Rice with clams must be very tasty and the holy basil definitely give fantastic aroma to the rice. Very delicious!

tigerfish said...

Wooo...love the Thai infusion in this fried rice. Need some mild spice now to warm me up :) ...and this delicious one-dish meal is perfect!

Angie's Recipes said...

I bet this stir-fried rice taste very flavourful!
p.s no clam in the listed ingredients?

Jo said...

Hi Angie, thanks for spotting the omission.

Bakertan said...

hey jo,

this looks good and is very unique for a fried rice. I am sure the clams and basil would lend a nice seafood and herb flavour to the dish.

pigpigscorner said...

Basil is always a nice addition =) and to put whole clams in fried rice-something different! Looks fantastic.

Cooking Gallery said...

I love fried rice too, but I have never tried it with basil. I should really give it a try, it sounds wonderful...!

Noob Cook said...

I'm totally into clams, so it's a great addition to me :p

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