Vietnamese-style Beef Fried Rice

Ingredients

While the original Etli pilav is a Turkish rice dish cooked with meat and spices, this Vietnamese adaptation infuses the flavors of Southeast Asia. The use of lemongrass, fish sauce, and fresh herbs like cilantro and Thai basil gives the dish a distinct Vietnamese twist. Additionally, the cooking technique involves stir-frying the ingredients instead of simmering them together. We alse have the original recipe for Etli pilav, so you can check it out.

• 400g (14 oz) beef, thinly sliced 400g (14 oz) beef, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice, chilled 3 cups cooked jasmine rice, chilled
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, torn 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, torn

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
2. 2.
   Add the beef slices and stir-fry until browned. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same wok, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil and reduce the heat to medium.
4. 4.
   Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped lemongrass. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. 5.
   Add the diced bell pepper, carrot, and frozen peas. Stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
6. 6.
   Push the vegetables to one side of the wok and add the chilled jasmine rice to the other side. Break up any clumps of rice with a spatula.
7. 7.
   Drizzle the fish sauce, soy sauce, and sprinkle the sugar and black pepper over the rice. Stir-fry everything together for 2-3 minutes until well combined.
8. 8.
   Return the cooked beef to the wok and toss everything together for another minute to heat through.
9. 9.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro and Thai basil leaves.
10. 10.
    Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — To release its flavor, bruise the lemongrass stalk with the back of a knife before finely chopping it.
• Thai basil — If you can't find Thai basil, regular basil can be used as a substitute.
• Jasmine rice — It's best to use chilled cooked rice for stir-frying to prevent it from becoming mushy. You can cook the rice a day in advance and refrigerate it.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a few slices of red chili pepper during the stir-frying process.
• To make it a complete meal, serve the Vietnamese-style Beef Fried Rice with a side of fresh cucumber slices and a fried egg on top.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli or snap peas for added crunch and nutrition.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with tofu or tempeh.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Vietnamese-style Beef Fried Rice hot as a main course. It can be enjoyed on its own or accompanied by a side of fresh cucumber slices and a fried egg on top for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the dish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a wedge of lime. Serve it in a vibrant bowl or on a decorative plate to showcase the colorful ingredients.