Fried Rice and Potstickers – November 6, 2009

Got home late again and I’m finding it hard to cook a meal this late. Usually if I can’t make it home by 8pm, I find myself getting take out. I need to get home earlier so I can make proper meals. Tonight we have some fried rice with potstickers from Diho Siam in Mission Viejo.

The rice tonight was a bit greasy and that’s the problem with most Chinese restaurants outside of China or Chinatown. Here is a recipe from my friend Allen at Eating Out Loud.

BBQ Pork fried rice

1 cup BBQ Prok, diced (you can substitute ham or bacon)
4 eggs, fork whipped
6 cups cooked long grain rice
4 green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh minced ginger
1 Tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce
2-3 Tablespoons Regular Soy Sauce
2 tablespoons peanut oil (any veggie oil is fine)
dash of Siracha Sauce

I use a wok but a deep pot or dutch oven would work well too. Place pot on burner and turn up to medium high heat. When the pot is hot, add the oil. Some smoking may occur, this is ok, just move along quickly. Add the eggs, but don’t stir. Let them firm up on the bottom (like a pancake), then flip it over. When cooked, remove from pan and set aside.

Add meat to the pan and cook for 1-3 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through. I use whatever meat we have on hand, bacon is outrageously good. I’ve also used leftover meatloaf (also amazing), pork, or chicken. If you want something lighter, omit the meat entirely. In this case, I might add a bit more ginger.

When meat is done, add the green onions and ginger. Stir to combine and cook 30 seconds. Add rice and eggs, stir to combine. I stir the rice maybe once every 30 seconds for a few minutes, then add the soy sauce and siracha. Use the spatula to ‘chop’ the egg into smallish bits. Stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes. At this point I usually give it a taste to see if more soy sauce is needed to season it.

I usually turn off the burner and let it set in the for 5-10 minutes, I think it tastes best when close to room temperature. If you have leftovers, it freezes well.

Allen’s recipe is clean and bright with a fried rice that isn’t glistening in oil. Fried rice is one of the simplest things you can make. With a few leftover ingredients in your fridge a bowl of fried rice can be quite satisfying.

DinnerInDisguise is a daily record of my evening meals. It won’t always cover hand-made meals, it will probably have fast-food and meals at friend’s homes as well.