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Simple, super quick, make ahead, versatile, fresh, gorgeous, sensationally delicious!
Being one of those cooks who's always exploring new and often uncharted culinary territory, I frequently get in a bit of trouble for the lack of repeated performances here at The Café. You see, there's always a stack of recipes torn out of magazines or pinned online that I want to try, and just as many swirling around in my brain; recipes I'm creating as I'm inspired by something fresh and delicious at the market, something sensational I try at a restaurant or often, something that seemingly comes to me from out of nowhere.
So when I make something three times in a two-week stretch of time, you can be sure it's something fabulous, something worthy of rave reviews, like this Thai-Style Shrimp & Asparagus Fried Rice w/ Golden Raisins & Cashews.
The rice needs to be cooked and cooled in advance, otherwise this meal comes together in a snap. If you're serving guests, it can be tossed together before the doorbell rings with the exception of the shrimp. Cook up the shrimp at the last minute, combine with the rice/veggie mix and serve with a scatter with fresh herbs and cashews. You will hear rave reviews, for sure!
It's simple, super quick, make ahead, versatile, gorgeous, fresh, sensationally delicious! Oops, I almost forgot to tell you, it makes fabulous leftovers, so you just might want to make a double batch!!
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Thai Shrimp and Asparagus Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 pound extra-large shrimp, 26 to 30 per lb., peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons plus one teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup salted, toasted cashew halves
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, rough ends snapped off and thinly sliced on a long diagonal
- 1 medium sweet onion, such as Maui or Vidalia, halved and fairly thinly sliced lengthwise (about 2 cups)
- 1 large bunch scallions, thinly sliced on a diagonal
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 ½ teaspoons finely minced fresh garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha chili sauce, available in the Asian section at most larger grocers
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce, available in the Asian section at most larger grocers
- 3 cups day-old unsalted cooked jasmine rice, I like to use jasmine rice
- 2 cups tiny frozen peas, thawed
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- sea salt, to taste
- small basil, cilantro and mint leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with ½ tsp. salt and a generous scatter of freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat one teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add cashews and a pinch of kosher salt. Stir continuously for one to two minutes until golden. Remove from pan to small bowl and set aside.
- Combine the fish sauce, garlic and ginger in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add the shrimp and cook, flipping once, until pink and opaque, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a plate. (If preparing ahead, skip this step and proceed to next step, see directions below.)
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the skillet until shimmering hot. Add the asparagus, onions, scallions and golden raisins and stir continuously for one minute. Add the fish sauce mixture and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Add rice, stirring to break up any clumps, until the mixture is well combined and heated through, about 2 minutes. (If preparing ahead, add the rice but don't heat at this time, see directions below.)
- Add shrimp, peas and chopped cilantro, stir to combine.
- Taste and season with sea salt, if needed.
- Serve garnished with fresh herb leaves and a scatter of the toasted cashews.
- Notes:
- ~ This dish is very versatile. Instead of shrimp it is delicious with shredded roasted chicken, roasted pork bits or as a vegetarian dish with a scrambled egg or two added just before serving. You can also substitute any other vegetables that are in season or add extra veggies. The original recipe calls for pineapple which is also quite delicious.
- ~ To make ahead, prepare as directed, up to one hour in advance, omitting step four and stopping after step 6. Just before serving, cook shrimp. Add rice mixture to shrimp and heat over medium heat until hot. Finish with steps 8 and 9.
Notes
~ To make ahead, prepare as directed, up to one hour in advance, omitting step four and stopping after step 6. Just before serving, cook shrimp. Add rice mixture to shrimp and heat over medium heat until hot. Finish with steps 8 and 9.
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Isn't that the truth about having a recipe again, so may recipes so little time 🙂 . If you made it 3 times in 2 weeks that is really impressive, sound like a must try!!
What a great dish! Creative, pretty and I am sure tasty. Nicely done.
I always get in trouble for not making things more than once! This looks like it would definitely be on repeat!
What a pretty meal! I really should make more stuff like this. I always make the same plain things again and again. And that dish is so pretty!
I'm cracking up Chris. My family accuses me of the same thing - "can't we have what we had last night...again?" Doesn't really happen around here! This looks so yummy and fresh.
This must be really tasteful!Love its ingredients!
Kisses,dear Chris!
Chris, this recipe really does look sensational. I love the brightness of the fresh vegetables and all of the ingredients sound and look delicious together. This is certainly a dish my family would adore. And that very pretty dinner plate of yours is extremly photogenic. Wonderful!
Love the Thai flavors and the very Spring like look of this dish- it's a beauty and a keeper for sure 😉
I love versatile dishes like this, once you get the basics you have numerous tasty meals!
I am so far behind in my reading! But I'm glad I didn't miss this lovely dish. I adore all the flavors - cashews, Srarcha shrimp - all of it. Yum!!! Hope that grandbaby is doing great 🙂
Chris, I am pinning this. I have family that shrimp with anything is the favorite. Would you mind revealing the brand of fish sauce? I clearly do not know about it and I want a good brand.
Hello my friend! I am actually away from home right now with family so I can't check my bottle, but I don't think it really matters too much. I've used the brand I can get in the Asian section of my local grocer and I've used several kinds from the Asian store and I haven't seen much difference in the results. Just don't judge it by the smell as, honestly, it stinks!! But you don't use much and it doesn't give good a fishy taste like you would think, it instead is salty and imparts fabulous flavor that you can't quite identify. You'll see what I mean when you make this yummy fried rice!
Chris we used to always complain to mum that she never recreated anything. Her answer was always 'I can't remember exactly what I put in it.' If only she had a blog back then.
This looks so fresh and summery. Just what I need to ward off the chill that is creeping into the air over here.
Can I pretty please have a plate of this for my dinner? Chris, this is stunning!
Yup, I always have a huge stack of "to try" recipes...and Bill just wants me to make some Nestles Toll House cookies. Your fantastic and flavorful rice looks worthy of repetition! Have a wonderful week, Chris!
Who needs take out when you can make fried rice so easily at home! Delicious
Mr. & Mrs. P
http://www.cristyandmichael.blogspot.com
Who needs take out when you can make fried rice so easily at home! Delicious
Mr. & Mrs. P
http://www.cristyandmichael.blogspot.com
That sounds just my kind of dish 🙂 Have a good week, Diane
This looks so beautiful and delicious, Chris! I love all the bright, vibrant spring flavors too! Thanks for sharing.
What a great combination of flavors & textures. It looks wonderful.
I could eat this every day! Looks beyond delicious and satisfying.
Something you make a few times in a week has definitely got to be good! I am pinning this one too. I think your recipes are overtaking my boards...lol!! Which is fine by me 🙂
Cook, eat and repeat sounds good to me!
Un plato fantastico! Se merece un 10 sin duda! Sano, rico y con muy buena pinta!
Besos!
This dish sounds so good. I never would have thought of raisins in Thai food...I'm sure it is delicious.
Chris: Every single time that I come here, my mouth waters like crazy. This time is no exception! Gorgeous fried rice...
Sensational, colourful and love all these ingredients - especially the asparagus, can never get tired (thai-rd?) of them at this time of year!
I love it! I would never of thought of paring asparagus in a dish like this! It's just beautiful!
I love fried rice with shrimp, it cooks fast and it looks pretty too! I wish my fried rice looks as pretty as yours!
This sounds sooooo good. I have everything but the shrimp and the special sauce. Asparagus is everywhere right now, so I'm glad for new reasons to cook it.
I love fried rice, it's so good and so fast to prepare. I love your version, aspargus are amond my favorite veggies!
Oh gosh, I know better than to visit your blog when I'm hungry!!!
Love the Thai flavors in your fried rice, Chris! Perfect for spring too with the asparagus and peas!