Mom's Thai Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked cold jasmine rice (cold rice is essential so the grains will not stick together when stir frying)
• 3 tablespoons peanut oil
• 4 cloves freshly minced garlic
• 1 1/2 cups boneless skinless chicken breasts or lean pork or beef, thinly sliced (its easiest to get thin slices if the meat is still partially frozen)
• 2 eggs
• 4 green onions, sliced thin
• 2 teaspoons palm sugar (table sugar is fine if you can't find palm sugar)
• 3 tablespoons Thai fish sauce (no substitutes)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 3/4 cup frozen peas (not traditional but I like to add them anyway)
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 2 limes, cut into wedges

Directions

1. 1

   Heat peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over medium high heat.

2. 2

   While pan is warming, toss the cold rice with your hands, making sure to separate the grains from any clumps.

3. 3

   Add the garlic to the heated wok, and toss until fragrant and slightly golden.

4. 4

   Add chicken, beef, or pork and stir fry for about 1 minute.

5. 5

   Push the meat and garlic up the sides making a well in the middle and add eggs.

6. 6

   Scramble eggs for 1 minute in middle of pan then, add green onions and peas and incorporate all ingredients together, stir frying for another minute.

7. 7

   Add rice, turning over rice with pan ingredients several times to coat and stir frying for 2-3 minutes. You want the rice to begin to have a toasted smell, making sure that all the ingredients are constantly being moved around the pan for even cooking.

8. 8

   If your pan seems to have cooled down to the point where the ingredients are no longer sizzling, you may need to turn the heat up slightly.

9. 9

   Sprinkle in the sugar and add the fish sauce and oyster sauce.

10. 10

    Stir fry all ingredients together for one minute more or until sauces are absorbed and mixture is completely combined. Transfer to serving platter.

11. 11

    Garnish plate edge with sliced cucumber, lime wedges, and additional whole green onions if desired.