Thai Fried Rice (Kao Paht)

Courtesy of Quick & Easy Thai by Nancie McDermott.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4  cups cooked rice, preferably chilled
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1  tablespoon garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup onion, chopped
• 1⁄4 lb pork or 1⁄4 lb chicken, thinly sliced into 2-inch strips
• 1  large egg, beaten
• 2  tablespoons fish sauce
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 2  green onions, thinly sliced crosswise
•  fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
•  cucumber, slices
• 1  lime, quartered lengthwise
•  fish sauce, seasoned with
•  chopped fresh hot chili peppers or   ground red chili pepper

Directions

1. Prepare rice by crumbling it with your fingers, breaking up the bigger lumps, and set aside in a bowl.
2. Heat a wok or a large, deep skillet over high heat. Add the oil, and when a bit of garlic sizzles at once, add the garlic and onion and toss well until shiny and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the pork and cook, tossing often, until the onion begins to wilt and the meat is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add the beaten egg, and toss well to scramble it once it begins to set.
3. Add the rice, fish sauce, and green onions and cook, tossing often, until the rice is tender and heated through. Mound the rice on a serving platter and garnish with the cilantro, and if desired, the cucumber slices and wedges of lime to squeeze over each serving. Accompany with small bowls of fish sauce with chopped chilies, and serve hot or warm.