Ultimate Leftover Fried Rice Delight
The Ultimate Leftover Fried Rice Delight is a fragrant, savory dish that transforms your leftover meats, vegetables, and grains into a satisfying meal. This recipe is inspired by Vietnamese culinary traditions and celebrates the art of recycling ingredients. With a beautiful combination of textures and flavors, it features perfectly cooked long-grain rice, succulent proteins, and vibrant vegetables, all jazzed up with an aromatic garlic and egg stir-fry. Quick to prepare, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or any time you've got leftovers to use up. You'll find that this fried rice not only minimizes food waste but also brings new life to yesterday's meals. Add your favorite spicy vinegar or extra sauce for a personalized finishing touch and serve it warm as a delightful side dish or a hearty meal on its own.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
cooked long-grain rice (white or brown jasmine)
3 cups (at room temperature or slightly chilled)
fat (canola oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, rendered lard, or European-style butter)
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
garlic cloves
2 (finely chopped)
cooked leftovers (meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, or tempeh)
1 - 1.5 cups (cut or broken into small pieces)
egg
1 (beaten)
fish sauce, soy sauce, Bragg Liquid Aminos, or Maggi Seasoning sauce
1 tablespoon (for seasoning)
green onion
1 (chopped (white and green parts))
fine sea salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by breaking up the cooked rice to prevent any lumps forming. Gather all the ingredients next to your stove to streamline the cooking process, as this recipe comes together quickly.
2
In a large nonstick or carbon-steel skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of your chosen fat over high heat. Once the fat is shimmering, introduce the finely chopped garlic and stir-fry it for 10 to 15 seconds, allowing the wonderful aroma to fill your kitchen.
3
Next, add your cooked leftovers (meat, seafood, vegetables, or tofu) to the pan, stirring continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to reheat them thoroughly.
4
Introduce the rice to the skillet, stir-frying everything together for about 2 minutes until the rice is heated through and takes on a slightly revived texture.
5
Now, push the warm rice to the edges of the skillet to create a 4-inch-wide well in the center. Add the remaining tablespoon of fat to the well and pour in the beaten egg. Drizzle the fish sauce around the rim onto the rice.
6
Quickly stir-fry the egg, breaking it up and scrambling it as you incorporate it into the rice mixture.
7
Add the chopped green onion, cooking for another 10 to 15 seconds until the onion is just wilted.
8
Taste the fried rice and season with fine sea salt if needed, adjusting to your preference.
9
Transfer the fried rice to a serving plate or shallow bowl, and consider offering additional condiments like fish sauce, soy sauce, or Maggi Seasoning for those who like an extra savory kick.
10
For enhanced flavor, try serving with your homemade spicy vinegar for an added zing!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Leftover Fried Rice Delight?
It is a fragrant, savory dish inspired by Vietnamese culinary traditions that transforms leftover meats, vegetables, and grains into a satisfying meal.
What type of rice is best for this recipe?
Long-grain rice such as white or brown jasmine rice is recommended for the best texture.
What temperature should the rice be when starting?
The rice should be at room temperature or slightly chilled to prevent it from becoming too mushy during stir-frying.
What kinds of fats can I use for sautéing?
You can use canola oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, rendered lard, or European-style butter.
How much fat is needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for a total of 2 tablespoons of fat.
How many garlic cloves are required?
Two garlic cloves, finely chopped, are used to add aroma to the dish.
What types of cooked leftovers can I add?
You can use a variety of leftovers including meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, or tempeh.
How much leftover protein or vegetables should I use?
The recipe suggests using between 1 to 1.5 cups of leftovers cut into small pieces.
How many eggs are included in the dish?
The recipe uses one beaten egg to add texture and richness.
What can I use to season the fried rice?
You can use fish sauce, soy sauce, Bragg Liquid Aminos, or Maggi Seasoning sauce.
How do I prepare the green onions?
One green onion should be chopped, using both the white and green parts.
What is the first step in cooking the rice?
Begin by breaking up the cooked rice to prevent any lumps from forming in the skillet.
How long should I stir-fry the garlic?
The garlic should be stir-fried for 10 to 15 seconds until it becomes aromatic.
How long does it take to reheat the leftovers in the pan?
The leftovers should be stirred continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to ensure they are heated through.
What is the 'well' technique used in this recipe?
You push the warm rice to the edges of the skillet to create a 4-inch-wide well in the center for cooking the egg.
When do I add the fish sauce?
Drizzle the fish sauce around the rim of the skillet onto the rice while the egg is cooking in the center.
How long do I cook the green onions?
Cook them for 10 to 15 seconds at the end until they are just wilted.
What kind of salt should I use for final seasoning?
Fine sea salt is recommended to adjust the flavor to your preference.
What equipment is best for making this fried rice?
A large nonstick or carbon-steel skillet is ideal for stir-frying at high heat.
What makes this recipe sustainable?
It celebrates the art of recycling ingredients and minimizes food waste by using leftovers.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Yes, you can add your favorite spicy vinegar or extra sauce for a personalized spicy finish.
Is this dish suitable for a quick weeknight meal?
Yes, it is designed to be quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy schedules.
How should I serve the fried rice?
Serve it warm on a plate or in a shallow bowl, possibly with extra condiments on the side.
What is the cultural inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by Vietnamese culinary traditions.
Can I use brown jasmine rice?
Yes, the recipe specifically mentions that white or brown jasmine rice works well.
How do I incorporate the egg into the rice?
Quickly stir-fry the egg in the center well, breaking it up and scrambling it before mixing it into the surrounding rice.
What is the purpose of the fat shimmer?
When the fat is shimmering, it indicates it is hot enough to properly sear and stir-fry the ingredients.
Can I use tofu or tempeh as the main protein?
Absolutely, the recipe lists tofu and tempeh as excellent leftover options.
What if I want an extra savory kick?
Consider offering additional condiments like Maggi Seasoning or soy sauce at the table.
How much rice is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 3 cups of cooked long-grain rice.