Special Fried Rice

{Recipe photos updated January 2014.}

I love Chinese take-out. Handyman Tim and I have become pseudo-conneiseurs of Mongolian Beef and potstickers. But when I’m on my own, it is fried rice that really makes me happy.

I went through a very heavy Rachael Ray recipe phase when I was first starting to cook for my family. I love her “make your own takeout” approach and jumped at her recipe for fried rice. It is one of the few recipes from her collection that still makes the round in my kitchen today. I’ve turned this into a pantry/freezer meal so that I can whip it up whenever I feel like it without needing a special trip to the store.

This recipe is meant to be played with, feel free to toss in whatever vegetable or protein combination makes your family happy!

 

 

 

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Special Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 3 cups leftover white rice: I order an extra quart every time we have Chinese food, the restaurant leftovers are perfect for this and such a time saver. But you can always make your own batch.
• 3 tablespoons vegetable or wok oil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• Healthy sprinkle of dried ginger
• Sprinkle of red pepper flakes (I go heavy handed with these if Handyman Tim is not partaking of the meal.)
• 1 chopped onion
• 1/2 cup frozen vegetables;  I love a mix that includes: peas, corn, carrots, and green beans but use whatever blend your family prefers!
• 1 chopped red pepper (optional)
• 1/3 cup Tamari, dark aged soy sauce
• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken (optional)

Method:

Heat a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add oil to the pan. Add egg to hot oil and break into small bits as it scrambles. When eggs are scrambled, add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the pan and stir.

Add bell pepper and onions to the pan and quick stir-fry veggies until heated through and just barely starting to char. Add remaining veggies and saute till heated through.

Add rice to the pan and combine with mixture. Fry rice with veggies 2 or 3 minutes. Add soy sauce to the rice and stir fry 1 minute more. Add chicken if using, toss to combine and heat through.

This dish can be turned down to low and let to saute longer while you make additional portions of your meal.