How is that possible? This GORGEOUSNESS comes not from fancy stuff but some regular every day things. And this one is done in no time. Get ready to stir and fry and make this beauty happen. Right now… in your kitchen!! Fried rice is hands-down one of my favorites! I mean, who doesn’t love a meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes, right? It’s my go-to when I want something fast but still packed with flavor. What I really love about it is how versatile it is! I can toss in whatever I’m in the mood for, or just use up all those random veggies and leftovers hiding in my fridge. It’s the ultimate clean-out-the-fridge dish! And honestly, those Asian flavors are irresistible. There’s just something about that mix of soy sauce, garlic, and veggies that always hits the spot. I can never say no to it! Now, let’s make this even more interesting with a little sweet and salty touch. The sweetness comes from juicy ripe pineapple chunks and the saltiness from that divine ham. That’s all you need to give your regular fried a little island tweak!
So tell me about this Hawaiian version…
One fruit that comes in my mind when I think about Hawaii is pineapple. They have an abundance, so you will often find it in their food. Their cuisine is also heavily influenced by the wave of Asian immigrants who came to work on their pineapple and sugarcane plantations. Thus, Hawaiian fried rice! Many Hawaiians use Spam in their fried rice, as it’s extremely popular in these islands. It was originally brought there by American G.I.s and it became an important source of protein for locals when fishing around the islands was prohibited during World War II. You can choose to make your rice with Spam, or like me use that leftover ham I’ve had in my freezer since the holidays. Or you may use an entirely different protein, there are lots of variations noted below. Keep on reading…
Alpana’s Tips
OK… you’re still with me… great. You must really love me or want to make some killer fried rice!
Ingredients Needed
Pineapple – Yup. Trust me when I say it goes beautifully in your fried rice. Especially when paired with some salty protein. Asian flavorings enhances the sweet juicy fruit. I used fresh. Canned works great too, but rinse the syrup off first so it doesn’t make your rice too sweet. Ham – I am sure you have some leftovers in your freezer. If not, any good quality deli ham will do. Then, there’s always Spam. Cooked, chilled rice – Leftover is the best. You can experiment with brown rice too. My choice is jasmine or basmati. Veggies – Today I am using a few bell papers like red and green(you can use any color), carrots, peas, onion and green onion. The white and green portions of the green onion will be used separately, so keep them divided. Garlic – Any Asian dish is incomplete without it. Ginger – Same here. Eggs – Imagine soft, luscious scrambled eggs mixed in with your rice… great flavor and texture. Soy sauce – A fried rice staple. Oyster sauce – For an added layer of flavor. Sesame oil – That toasty flavor is amazing! Cooking oil – Something with a high smoke point like peanut, vegetable or soybean.
Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Did you prep all your ingredients in advance like I told you earlier? If not, go ahead and do that, this will fry up quick! I get my wok or large skillet sizzling hot over high heat. Once it’s ready, I add about 3 tablespoons of cooking oil. When the oil is nice and hot (it’ll have that thin, watery look), I toss in the peppers, onions, and the white part of the green onions. I give them a quick toss for about a minute. Then, I add the carrots, ginger, garlic, and ham, stirring and frying everything for 2-3 minutes. Next, I throw in the peas, give it all another quick stir, and push everything to one side of the pan. On the now empty side of the pan, I add another tablespoon of oil. I pour in the whisked eggs and scramble them until they’re soft and luscious. Once they’re ready, I mix everything together, then add the rice and sauces. I stir-fry it all for about 1-2 minutes, letting the rice soak up those amazing flavors. Finally, I toss in the pineapple and stir everything together one last time. Now it’s ready to serve! I dish out the fried rice and garnish it with the green parts of the green onions for that fresh, finishing touch.
Variations:
You can test the level of your creativity when it comes to simple fried rice. Please don’t skip the pineapple in this one, as this is my Hawaiian version. But you can… Make this Ham + Pineapple “winning pair” in your fried rice, and chow down on this tropical island style dish. My Hawaiian Pineapple fried rice! Aloha!
Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice, on my Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Enjoy our other easy and tasty stir frys!Thai Basil ChickenTeriyaki ChickenMongolian BeefChicken Ramen Stir FryKorean Ground BeefKung Pao ChickenHunan Shrimp Leftovers: Generally, this can be refrigerated 3-4 days in an airtight container. But please note, if using leftover ham, it must be used within seven days (not including frozen time) of when the ham was cooked.
