Instructions: Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise, and scoop out the fruit, then chop it into bite-sized chunks. Put the fruit in a bowl and add the shallots, jalapeno, ginger, scallion and coriander, mix and set aside. Add a pinch of salt to bring out the juice.

In a wok, heat about a tablespoon of oil, and stir-fry the shrimp until crispy, and the oil is aromatic. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain, then set aside.

Add a further tablespoon of oil, and stir-fry the garlic until golden brown. Add the rice, and stir thoroughly. Add the fish sauce and sugar, and continue stirring. When the rice is heated through, add the pineapple mixture and cooked shrimp, and stir until thoroughly heated through. Pour the mixture into the pineapple shells, garnish and serve. (Note: If you prefer fried rice to be darkish brown in color, then replace half the fish sauce with dark sweet soy sauce.)

Variation: Do not cook the fruit mixture. Instead put the fruit mixture and the stir fried rice in the fridge (separately) and chill all the ingredients. Just before serving mix them and put them in the pineapple skins. If you are serving cold then you can also add a few mareschino cherries as garnish. This cold variant makes an excellent counterpoint to hot curries and spicy chilli dishes on a hot day.

Comments: This is an unusual recipe for Thai food because it is essentially a vegetarian dish - not common in Thailand, where even nominally vegetarian dishes often contain meat. For two people you need a medium sized pineapple: choose carefully it should be sweet and juicy.

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