Khao Pad, also known as Thai Fried Rice, is a popular Thai dish that involves stir-frying cooked rice with a variety of ingredients to create a flavorful and aromatic dish. It is a versatile dish that can be customized with different proteins, vegetables, and seasonings. Here's a basic recipe for Khao Pad:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably leftover and cooled)
• 1 cup protein of your choice (chicken, shrimp, or tofu), cooked and diced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, and diced bell peppers work well)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or more to taste)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Pinch of white pepper
• Lime wedges and cilantro for garnish
• Optional: Red chili flakes for added heat

Instructions:

Preparation:

• Ensure that all ingredients are chopped and ready before you start cooking.

Heat the Wok or Pan:

• Heat a wok or a large pan over medium-high heat.

Stir-Fry Garlic and Eggs:

• Add vegetable oil to the wok. Add minced garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Push the garlic to one side of the wok and pour the beaten eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until just set.

Add Protein and Vegetables:

• Add the diced protein (chicken, shrimp, or tofu) to the wok and stir-fry until cooked through. Add the mixed vegetables and continue stir-frying until they are tender.

Stir-Fry Rice:

• Add the cooked jasmine rice to the wok. Break up any clumps and stir-fry to combine with the other ingredients.

Season with Sauces and Spices:

• Pour soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and white pepper over the rice. Toss everything together until well combined. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

Add Green Onions:

• Add chopped green onions to the fried rice and stir-fry for an additional minute.

Serve:

• Transfer the Khao Pad to serving plates. Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro. Optional: Sprinkle red chili flakes for extra heat.