Fried rice

Fried rice is a Chinese fried dish that is delicious as a full meal or just as a side. This was the first meal I cooked for my family. It’s great because it can be made out of whatever vegetables you have in your fridge.

(sorry, no amazing food photos- we ate it as soon as it was ready!)

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1/4 cup minced white onion, 
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 2 large eggs whisked
• 1/2 cup peas frozen, defrosted
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 400g chicken breast, diced

Instructions

1. In a 3-quart sized saucepan, rinse uncooked rice with cool water until it runs clear, then drain off excess water.
2. Add 2 cups of water to the washed rice.
3. Bring water to a boil and then turn down the heat to a simmer and cover with a lid.
4. Simmer the rice for 10 to 12 minutes, or until all of the water is absorbed and rice is tender.
5. Remove rice from the heat and allow to sit covered for 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Fluff rice with a fork and allow to cool to room temperature while preparing the other fried rice ingredients.
7. Heat a fry pan or skillet over medium heat
8. Cook diced chicken in a fry pan or skillet
9. Remove chicken from the pan when completely cooked.
10. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the frying pan, once hot add in the rice.
11. Stir-fry the rice to evenly coated with oil, then spread and lightly press around the pan.
12. Allow to cook for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat the spreading and stirring every 30 seconds for 5 minutes total, to encourage some light browning on the rice.
13. Make a large well in the centre of the pan and add in 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil.
14. Add onion, garlic, and carrots, stir-fry in the centre of the pan for 1 minute, then mix with rice to combine.
15. Make a large well in the centre, add in 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
16. In a separate pan, scramble eggs.
17. When cooked, remove from pan and break up into small pieces. Add to rice.
18. Add in soy sauce, stir to combine.
19. Add peas, stir to combine, and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes.
20. Taste rice and season with salt and white pepper as desired

Note: this recipe is adapted from a recipe by Jessica Gavin: https://www.jessicagavin.com/easy-fried-rice/