Authentic Thai Basil Fried Rice

Ingredients

• Fresh basil leaves (1 cup, loosely packed)
• Sugar (1 tablespoon)
• Oyster sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Fish sauce (1 tablespoon)
• Soy sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Green beans (1 cup, halved)
• Carrots (1 cup, sliced)
• Red bell pepper (1, diced)
• Protein of choice (chicken, shrimp, tofu) (1 cup, diced or cubed)
• Thai bird's eye chili (2, chopped)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons)
• Cooked jasmine rice (3 cups)

Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add minced garlic and chopped Thai bird's eye chili. Stir-fry for about a minute until they release their aromatic fragrance.
3. Add your chosen protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu), ensuring it's cut into bite-sized pieces. Cook until it's perfectly browned and thoroughly cooked.
4. Push the protein to the side of the wok, making room for the diced red bell pepper, sliced carrots, and halved green beans. Stir-fry these for about 2-3 minutes until they are just tender, retaining their vibrant colors and crunch.
5. Now, add the cooked jasmine rice to the wok, combining it with the stir-fried vegetables and protein. Mix well for about 2 minutes to ensure the rice grains separate and everything is evenly distributed.
6. In a separate bowl, blend together the soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. This forms the heart of your dish, a savory-sweet sauce that's quintessentially Thai. Pour this sauce mixture over the rice, stir-frying for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to permeate the rice.
7. Finally, add the fresh basil leaves to the wok, stir-frying for a minute until they wilt and infuse their peppery aroma into the fried rice.
8. Remove from heat. Your Authentic Thai Basil Fried Rice is ready to be served hot. You may garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and a squeeze of fresh lime for an extra zesty touch.