Pineapple Plantain “Fried Rice” with Shrimp

When you think fried rice, it’s hard not to conjure up images of unhealthy takeout food. But you can make your own, lighter fried rice at home using anything from brown rice to quinoa and even spiralized plantains. Since plantains are starchy and make such a great rice substitution (not to mention they go well with the tropical flavors of coconut and pineapple), they make the perfect fried rice ingredient.

Serves 2

2 green plantains

4 cloves garlic, divided

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1⁄3 cup vegetable broth

Salt

Pepper

8–10 medium shrimp (about 1⁄2 pound)

1⁄2 medium onion

1⁄2 tablespoon coconut oil

1⁄3 cup chopped pineapple

1⁄4 cup shredded coconut

2 large cage-free eggs

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

  1. Peel plantains, cut in half, and slice off both ends. Spiralize using a small-noodle blade. You can choose to put noodles in a food processor and pulse into rice, chop with a knife, or put noodles into the pan and break pieces up using a spatula.
  2. Chop 2 cloves garlic. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add garlic to pan and cook for 1–2 minutes. Add plantains, breaking into small pieces of rice if you haven’t already. Cook for 2 minutes, then add vegetable broth. Cook for 2–3 minutes and then season with salt and pepper. Set rice aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium heat. Add shrimp and cook for 4–5 minutes or until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Set shrimp aside.
  4. Chop onion and remaining 2 cloves garlic. Heat coconut oil in the pan on medium heat. Sauté chopped onion, remaining garlic, and pineapple until onions are translucent and slightly browned on the outside (think of a grilled effect), about 4–5 minutes.
  5. Once onions and pineapple are cooked, mix in plantain rice, shrimp, and shredded coconut. Turn heat to medium-high and crack eggs into the pan. Let sit for 1 minute and then use a spatula to mix in to the plantains. To get the fried rice effect, you want the egg to be somewhat chunky in your dish, without mixing together too much the yolk and the whites. Cook for about 1–2 minutes or until eggs are fully cooked.
  6. Remove from heat and mix in cilantro. Serve warm.