I was strolling through Trader Joe’s the other day and spotted a bag of Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried Rice in the freezer section. The picture on the bag looked tasty and I love shrimp fried rice so I decided to give this stuff a try.
I am very glad that I did!
Cooking Instructions
The packaging provides two sets of heating instructions for the fried rice; stovetop and microwave. I went with the stovetop option because I was skeptical of cooking shrimp in a microwave would turn out well.
The stovetop heating instructions are:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large saucepan over Medium heat.
- Open the packet of shrimp and add to the pan.
- Cook the shrimp for 4-5 minutes until they turn pink.
- Add the rice blend to the pan and stir fry for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
Please do not just dump the entire contents of the bag into a saucepan. I was lazy and almost did this but stopped myself in time when I realized that the shrimp were frozen in their own plastic bag!
I followed the package instructions but also added a quarter cup of water to the pan after the rice had cooked for a few minutes. I added the extra water to help the rice steam cook and hydrate a little more. You can skip the extra water if you like but I do believe it helped.
Taste Test!
I was pleasantly surprised that the fried rice was both tasty and spicy!
Trader Joe’s products are hit or miss when it comes to being spicy but the fried rice actually delivered. There were identifiable pieces of red chilis in the fried rice that gave the meal a pleasant heat that mixed will with the basil and rice. The heat was not stupid hot but was enough to give my mouth a little tingle.
Overall the dish was delightful with plenty of flavors from the Thai basil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and mirin. I can’t imagine asking for anything better from a quick and easy frozen fried rice dish.
There is enough fried rice to serve two people generous portions. I liked the meal so much I ate almost all of it in one sitting!
Calories and Nutrition
One cup of the shrimp fried rice is a single serving and has the following calories and nutritional information.
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 6g (8% DV)
- Cholesterol: 20mg (7% DV)
- Sodium: 450mg (20% DV)
- Carbohydrates: 34g (12% DV)
- Protein: 7g
Things just keep on getting better! Not only is the shrimp fried rice extremely tasty but it is healthy as well 🙂
Seriously, the meal is relatively low calorie and, much to my surprise, is not loaded with sodium. Both the fat and cholesterol levels are extremely reasonable.
This is a meal that I could feel happy about eating on a regular basis.
Serving Ideas
The store has the rice labeled as “A Great Side” which has me wondering if I was just a unsophisticated hick for wolfing it down by itself 🙂 I did a little research trying to figure out what would pair well with the fried rice and have a few suggestions:
Thai-Style Appetizers
Start off the meal with some traditional Thai appetizers, such as fresh spring rolls, crispy vegetable or shrimp tempura, or spicy Thai fish cakes. These appetizers will set the tone for an authentic Thai meal.
Stir-fried Vegetables
Serve a side of stir-fried vegetables, such as bok choy, bell peppers, snow peas, or broccoli, to add freshness, crunch, and a little more bulk to the meal. You can use similar Thai flavors in the stir-fry, such as garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, to harmonize with the fried rice.
Thai Salads
Thai salads can be a refreshing and tangy complement to the rich flavors of the fried rice. Try serving a classic green papaya salad (Som Tum) or a Thai beef salad (Yum Nua) with plenty of fresh herbs, lime juice, and a touch of spice.
Coconut Milk Curries
Thai curries, such as red, green, or yellow curry, are creamy and flavorful, and can be a great accompaniment to fried rice. The coconut milk in the curry will balance out the spiciness of the fried rice, and you can add your choice of protein, such as chicken, beef, or tofu, to complete the meal.
Fresh Fruit
Thai cuisine often incorporates fresh fruit in their dishes, so serving a platter of tropical fruits, such as mangoes, pineapples, or papayas, can be a refreshing and sweet contrast to the spicy flavors of the fried rice. It can also serve as a palate cleanser between bites of the rice.
Price
I bought the 16 ounce bag of frozen fried rice at Trader Joe’s for $5.99.
I figure that the equivalent meal from Chinese Takeout would cost me around $10 so I am going to call this a deal. Not only is this meal cheaper than Takeout but it is extremely handy to keep in your freezer for a quick and tasty meal solution.
