Yields: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
Rice:
- 4 cups COOKED and CHILLED rice (long-grain jasmine or basmati is ideal)
Eggs:
- 3 large eggs
Oil:
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (vegetable, canola, peanut) + 1 tablespoon for eggs
Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced
Vegetables:
- 1 cup frozen peas & carrots mix (or use fresh vegetables of choice)
Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper (or black pepper)
Optional:
- ¼ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
Garnish:
- Chopped green onions (scallions)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Rice:
- The Key: Use day-old, refrigerated rice. This ensures it’s slightly dry and won’t clump together when fried.
- Cook it Ahead: If you need to make rice fresh, cook it according to directions, then spread it on a baking sheet to cool and dry out. Refrigerate for at least an hour or ideally overnight.
2. Prep the Ingredients:
- Beat the eggs lightly in a small bowl.
- Dice the onion, mince the garlic and ginger.
- Have your frozen vegetables (or chopped fresh vegetables) ready.
3. Cook the Eggs:
- Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil.
- Pour in the beaten eggs. Let them set slightly, then scramble gently into large pieces.
- Remove eggs to a plate and set aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the wok/skillet.
- Add the onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the frozen peas and carrots (or your choice of fresh vegetables). Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until softened.
5. Fry the Rice:
- Push the vegetables to the side of the pan.
- Add chilled rice to the empty side and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, breaking up any clumps.
- Mix the rice with the vegetables.
6. Flavor and Finish:
- Return the scrambled eggs to the pan.
- Pour the soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice mixture. Season with salt and pepper (and five-spice powder, if using).
- Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and the flavors are combined.
- Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.
7. Serve:
- Garnish with chopped green onions and enjoy immediately!
Tips:
- Customization: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or other protein of your choice.
- Spice it up: Include a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
- Get creative: Experiment with other vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or bean sprouts.
