From the menu of: FAD

From the menu of … FAD, 3565 Austell Road, Marietta. 770-431-8505, www.fadfinedining.com

Q: Recently I enjoyed a delicious meal at a Nigerian restaurant called FAD. This was my first time trying Nigerian cuisine and the fried rice was a pleasant surprise. It was spiced with something unexpected … I think it was rosemary. Can your recipe sleuths figure it out? Thank you. — Virginia Murray, Atlanta

A: Ade Faderin is the genial host of FAD, which stands for Fine African Dining. Helen Otovo, who helps at the restaurant and occasionally cooks, shared the recipe for this dish which will make an easy introduction to African cuisine. Otovo stresses it's important to use parboiled rice, like Uncle Ben's, to achieve the right texture.

This recipe makes a substantial quantity, but could easily be cut in half. Go ahead and use the whole bouillon cube for a half-size recipe.

FAD Fried Rice

4 cups parboiled rice

4 cups water plus water for rinsing

1 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 chicken bouillon cube

1 pound small (60 count) shrimp, peeled

1 (16-ounce) bag frozen carrots and peas, thawed

Salt

In a large bowl, rinse the rice in cold water, then drain.

Combine rice and 4 cups water in a large saucepan. Add oil, curry, thyme, rosemary and bouillon cube. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and cook until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Add shrimp and continue cooking 5 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through. Stir in carrots and peas and heat until vegetables are hot. Taste for seasoning and serve immediately. Makes: 14 cups

Per 1-cup serving: 244 calories (percent of calories from fat, 61), 8 grams protein, 16 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 16 grams fat (2 grams saturated), 49 milligrams cholesterol, 122 milligrams sodium.