Pineapple Fried Rice: A Tropical Delight for All Ages
How to Make Delicious Pineapple Fried Rice at Home
A kid-favorite, this pineapple fried rice bursts with a fragrant tropical aroma that will tantalize your taste buds and awaken your appetite. It’s a visually appealing and delicious dish that’s sure to please everyone.
Ingredients (Tablespoons = Korean rice spoon)- 3 bowls of fluffy, steamed rice
- 1/4 fresh pineapple
- Assorted vegetables for stir-frying (approx. 1 cup)
- A small amount of thawed frozen shrimp
- 2 fresh eggs
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- A pinch of black pepper (dash)
- 4 pinches of salt
- A sprinkle of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for your fried rice. For the vegetables, consider using kid-friendly options like potatoes, chewy king oyster mushrooms, colorful bell peppers, crisp carrots, sweet onions, and aromatic green onions. Feel free to customize based on your preferences! (Measurements are based on a Korean rice spoon for tablespoons.)
Step 2
The star of today’s dish, the pineapple, will also serve as a charming edible bowl. Therefore, wash it thoroughly under running water. Using a fruit and vegetable wash, or even a gentle scrub with baking soda, ensures maximum hygiene. Pay special attention to cleaning between the pineapple’s textured skin.
Step 3
Dice the vegetables into bite-sized pieces, about 0.5cm to 1cm cubes, perfect for little hands. Finely slice the white parts of the green onion for making fragrant scallion oil, and thinly slice the green parts. Using a generous amount of green onion will significantly enhance the flavor of your fried rice.
Step 4
In a bowl, place the thawed frozen shrimp. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking wine and a pinch of black pepper, then gently mix. Let it marinate for a short while; the cooking wine will help eliminate any fishy odors and tenderize the shrimp.
Step 5
Place the washed pineapple on a cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise. Then, carefully use a knife to slice along the inside of the tough rind, separating the fruit flesh from the peel.
Step 6
Make vertical and horizontal score marks inside the separated pineapple flesh to create a cube pattern. Gently pry out the cubed fruit flesh using a fork, spoon, or a small paring knife. Discard the tough central core.
Step 7
As you extract the pineapple chunks, delicious juice will naturally collect. Don’t discard this precious liquid! You can serve the fried rice in the hollowed-out pineapple shell, reserve some juice for the fried rice itself, or freeze the remaining juice to use later for marinating meats. It’s a versatile flavor enhancer!
Step 8
Now that all ingredients are ready, heat a wide pan over medium heat. Add a generous amount of cooking oil, then add the thinly sliced green onions. Let them simmer until fragrant scallion oil is beautifully infused into the oil. (Tip: If you enjoy a slightly crispy, pan-fried texture at the bottom, akin to ‘cheolpan’ fried rice, pay close attention to your heat control.)
Step 9
Once the scallion oil is fragrant, add all the diced vegetables to the pan. Stir-fry them over high heat until they are crisp-tender, tossing them quickly to prevent burning. Sprinkle two pinches of salt over the vegetables as you stir-fry; this will help bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 10
When the vegetables are almost cooked, push them to one side of the pan to create a space. Crack the two eggs into the empty space and scramble them with a fork or chopsticks until they are softly cooked and fluffy.
Step 11
Once the scrambled eggs are set, add the shrimp that have been marinated in cooking wine. Stir-fry everything together with the vegetables and eggs until the shrimp turn a lovely pink color.
Step 12
With all the delicious ingredients combined, it’s time to add the rice. Add the fluffy steamed rice to the pan. Sprinkle two more pinches of salt over the rice to season it. Use a spatula to gently break up any clumps of rice as you stir-fry everything together.
Step 13
Continue to stir-fry, mixing the rice and all the ingredients evenly until the rice grains are distinct and well-coated. Once the rice is seasoned, create a small well in the center of the pan. Pour in the oyster sauce and soy sauce into this well and let it simmer for a moment to slightly reduce. Then, quickly mix everything together to evenly coat the fried rice with the sauce, adding a rich depth of flavor.
Step 14
Finally, add the prepared pineapple chunks and a little of the reserved sweet pineapple juice. Stir-fry briefly one more time, and your delicious pineapple fried rice is ready! For an extra touch, you can garnish with toasted sesame seeds, whole sesame seeds, or a drizzle of fragrant sesame oil according to your preference.
Step 15
Voila! Your delightful pineapple fried rice, a guaranteed hit with kids, is complete. Serving it in the hollowed-out pineapple shell adds a beautiful, festive presentation! Sometimes, there’s a fun little ‘competition’ to see who gets the bigger pineapple bowl. Enjoy your delicious meal!
