Thai Peanut Sauce Fried Rice Recipe

This rice dish pairs very well with the Basil Baked Game Hen entree. The flavors are exquisite with just a touch of heat. Each bite will have you going back for more (you may even find yourself sneaking a small bowl of it as a later evening snack). Not only will this rice dish hold its head high against the best of restaurant fried rice dishes, but it's so simple to prepare that you'll want to make it often, with variations on the ingredients.

• 4 oz. of pork loin, diced
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped leek
• 1/2 cup of chopped fresh red pepper
• 2 cloves of fresh minced garlic
• 1/4 cup of fresh sweet Thai basil, chopped
• 3 tablespoons of Thai peanut sauce
• 2 pinches of dried chili pepper
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 1 cup of uncooked short grain rice
• 1/2 cup of white rice wine
• 1 2/3 cup of water
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Begin by bringing water to a boil in a medium pan.
2. Add the rice, some salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Bring back to a boil, stir well, lower heat to low, and cover. Allow to cook for about 20 minutes.
3. While rice is cooking, prepare all other ingredients, chopping and mincing. Be sure to use the lower part of the leek stalk (the white part). You may substitute 1/2 finely chopped onion for the leek if you prefer.
4. Heat the olive and sesame oil in a large fry pan or wok over medium high heat.
5. Saute the meat until browned, then add the leek and red pepper. Continue to saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
6. Next add the garlic, stir, and continue cooking for another few minutes.
7. Add the rice wine and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pan.
8. Lower heat to medium low and stir in the peanut sauce. Then stir in the fresh basil and 2 pinches of the red pepper flakes. Taste for flavor, add your desired pepper and salt if needed. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
9. Wipe the fry pan (or wok) with a clean paper towel. Add a bit of olive oil enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Heat over a medium high heat.
10. Flake the cooked rice with a fork and add it to the fry pan. Stir quickly and saute rice for about 2 minutes.
11. Add the cooked ingredients you set aside to the rice and stir until all ingredients are well incorporated with the rice. Sprinkle in a bit of sesame oil and do one final stir. Remove from heat and transfer to a large serving bowl. Serve hot.