Basil Beef Fried Rice

This recipe is from a local Thai cooking class I took. The instructor tried to adapt the traditional recipe to use locally-available ingredients. This is delicious - different than any other fried rice we've had before. The Thai basil (I found it in an Asian grocery store in the city) really makes a difference.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb beef, thinly sliced
• 1⁄4 cup  vegetable oil
• 1  cup basil leaves
• 3  garlic cloves
• 2  Thai red chili peppers, green or 2  red chilies
• 2  cups cooked jasmine rice
• 2  tablespoons fish sauce
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1  medium cucumber, sliced

Directions

1. In a mortar, pound garlic and chili, set aside. You can use a food processor or other chopper if you don't have a mortar.
2. Heat oil in pan to medium heat and stir in garlic/chili mix until aromatic.
3. Add beef and stir until no pink shows.
4. Add rice, fish sauce, and sugar - stir and let cook 3-5 minutes.
5. Stir in basil leaves (Thai basil is best).
6. Serve with sliced cucumber.