Crispy Rice

Yasssss!!! I haven’t felt this self-congratulatory since I shared my version of Leon’s Siam Salad several years ago! I did it! I’ve come close to recreating the Crispy Rice from Molly’s Rise and Shine in New Orleans. Or at least, close enough to satisfy the relentless month of nagging I’ve endured ever since devouring that plate of spicy deliciousness.

Start by making any one of the many rice based dishes that you’ll find here on Sly Rooster or anywhere else, and…this is important…double the amount of rice so that you have plenty left over because this recipe starts with leftover, cold basmati rice. And then go shopping for some delicious fresh herbs and anything else you may not have in your pantry (although you may have it all) and go for it!

While this is not a Passover recipe (I’m sorry, I dropped the ball on a timely Seder post), this is a dish that can be enjoyed by those who keep Passover. Crispy Rice is the stuff that dreams are made of. I promise. Enjoy!

Crispy Rice

Crispy Rice

Ingredients

  • 2.5 c cooked basmati rice
  • 2 Tbls Thai red curry paste
  • 3 tsp oil

For the Dressing

  • 2 Tbls low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tsp fish sauce optional
  • 1 chili, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, grated I omit due to my aversion to raw garlic
  • juice of 1/2 lime
  • 2 Tbls sugar
  • 1/4 c water

Salad

  • a large handful of fresh mint, roughly chopped
  • a large handful of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped can substitute parsley
  • 3 Persian cucumbers, smashed and chopped
  • 1/4 c toasted coconut flakes
  • 2 Tbls toasted peanuts
  • 1/4 c fried shallots or onions
  • Greek yogurt for serving, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, curry paste, and oil and bake until crispy, approximately 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • While the rice is baking, combine all of the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake to combine.
  • In the large bowl that you used to prep the rice, mix the herbs, cucumber, coconut, peanuts, friend shallots. Add the rice once crisped from the oven and top with the dressing. Stir to combine and serve with a dollop of yogurt, optional.