Refried Rice

Of all the cheap, tasty meals you can prepare, re-fried rice is one of the best.  My recipe, from the Chicago Tribune, is umpteen years old.  I use it for the basics and then I get creative. 


The basics:  
Early in the day, heat some regular oil in a small skillet.  Beat 1-2 eggs, depending on how many you are serving.  Pour the eggs into the hot oil and let them cook until done.  Remove from skillet, cool on a plate and then shred with a fork.  


Cook however much rice you think you'll need.  I use basmati rice for everything, but that's just me.  Brown rice is also a good choice.  For the two of us, I usually cook 3/4 cup rice in 1 1/2 cups water.  Add a bit of salt. 


Next cook 1-2 slices of bacon until crisp. 

Get out the remaining ingredients and slice and chop as time permits:  you will need 
1-3 cups of leftover meat, depending on number of eaters.  I've used leftover pork roast, pork tenderloin, pork chops, shrimp, steak, roast beef, roast chicken.  Coarsely chop.  Set aside. 

Chop some onion and scallion.  Now you have the basics.   Good stuff to add:  nuts, broccoli (precook) bean sprouts, spinach, water chestnuts, green beans, frozen peas, mushrooms (great!)  You want something for crunch and some greenery for nourishment and to make it look pretty.  Use your imagination.  Get out the sesame oil, hot oil and/or red pepper flakes, Sechuan peppercorns, garlic, and soy sauce.  You will also need a bit of salt and a teaspoon of sugar. 

Final preparation.  Add some oil to a very large skillet, and add the onion(s) bacon, leftover meat and saute until the onion is mostly cooked.  Add the rice and stir/fry like crazy until all the rice grains are coated with the oil.  Add the veggies and cook until they're how you like them, from crisp to well-done.  Add the egg and the soy sauce, sugar and the rest of the seasonings in proportions you like.  Add the nuts and some fresh chopped chives if you have them.  Taste for proper seasoning.  Stir and fry.  

Serve.  I like to serve this with a salad of lettuce (your fave) topped with a sliced orange and some sort-of-sweet vinaigrette.  

It really tastes good.  The 2 people recipe will provide 2 dinners.  Any bits of veggies are good, but I am particularly fond of mushrooms, broccoli, spinach and peas.  Peanuts or almonds are dynamite.   

You will not leave the table hungry, and you'll leave the table happy.   Vegans or vegetarians could eat this if you substtute firm tofu for the meat.   

We didn't even half to pare any cheese to produce this dinner. 

Cheers!