Pineapple Chicken Thai Fried Rice

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts, or 2 to 3 thighs, chopped into small pieces
• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce

For the Stir-Fry Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/3 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin

For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons minced onion
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 fresh red or green chile, minced, or 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed chile
• 1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
• 1 small carrot, finely sliced
• 1 large egg
• 4 to 5 cups cooked white jasmine rice
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or canned pineapple chunks
• 3 tablespoons chopped raisins
• 1/4 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup dry roasted, unsalted cashews
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Place the chicken in a bowl with the soy sauce. Stir to combine, cover, and set aside to marinate.
3. In a small bowl, combine stir-fry sauce ingredients: pineapple juice, fish sauce, sugar, turmeric, coriander, and cumin; stir to dissolve the sugar. If using fresh pineapple, you might have to press some of the fruit down to come up with the juice. Set aside.
4. Place a wok or a large, deep frying pan over medium to medium-high heat. Drizzle in the oil, and add the onion, garlic, chile, whole cumin seeds, and carrot. Stir-fry for 1 minute.
5. Add the marinated chicken and the juices into the wok and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the chicken turns white on the outside.
6. Crack in the egg and continue stir-frying, breaking up the egg with a utensil into small pieces.
7. Combine all ingredients well and add the prepared stir-fry sauce.
8. Add the cooked rice, pineapple chunks, raisins, and peas. Fry together by gently stirring, lifting, and turning all of the ingredients.
9. Break up any clumps of rice by pressing down against them with the flat side of a utensil. Keep stirring and let the mixture cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the rice is of a uniform golden color. Add the cashews and stir them in.
10. Remove the rice from heat and taste-test, adding more fish sauce for a saltier, more flavorful rice, or more fresh or dried chile for a spicier version.
11. Place the rice in a big serving bowl and top with chopped fresh cilantro.