| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 539 | 22g | 4g | 70g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 11g | 5g | 18g | 1.2g |
My mountain roots may run deep, but my culinary curiosity certainly isn’t confined to the wild game, rancher’s favorites, or the bounty of Montana’s forests. Take, for instance, a dish that taps into earthy, aromatic ingredients to add a new dimension to your culinary repertoire – enter the Garlic Chive Fried Rice. It’s a bowlful of comfort that hails from Asia but goes beyond geographical boundaries to bring a riot of flavors wherever it’s served.
Fried Rice – A Canvas of Flavors
What makes fried rice an exciting choice for the table is the fact that it can be as diverse as your imagination allows. It’s remarkably versatile, lending itself to endless customization based on the staples you have in the pantry or the seasonal produce in your garden.
The Health Beneath the Flavor
Garlic Chive Fried Rice is humble in its demeanor, but don’t let that fool you. It packs a punch when it comes to nutrition. Garlic is a known warrior against colds while contributing fabulously to heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Chives are more than just a green garnish; their subtle onion-like flavor comes with a bonus of vitamins K, A, and C. Let’s not forget the essence in the rice itself. Jasmine rice, with its low-fat and high carbohydrate composition, energy providing and beneficial for those watching their weight.
Moving on to the rest of the ensemble – the shallots, mixed fruits, and cashews bring a medley of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and proteins. The fresh fruits not only contribute to the sweetness but are also powerful antioxidants that help combat various diseases.
Last but not least, eggs, a powerhouse of protein, and sesame oil, a heart-friendly fat, contribute to making this a wholesome dish. So, every bite of this delightful Garlic Chive Fried Rice not just tantalizes your taste buds, but also provides a well-rounded nutrient profile.
Tweaking and Pairing
Should you desire a refreshing crunch, feel free to toss in some bean sprouts, bell peppers, or even zucchini. For a bit of heat, a little chili sauce or some peppers can turn up the spice index. If you miss your protein, go ahead and add some grilled chicken, tofu, or even shrimp. The plate is your canvas, and the possibilities are as vast as the Montana skies!
If you’re curious what this rice dish would complement, imagine a serving of Grilled Fish Vietnamese Style or a bowl of Miso Soup . They make excellent pairings, creating a meal that comforts and satisfies.
In the end, what makes any recipe truly magical is the love and memory attached to it. This Garlic Chive Fried Rice, albeit far detached from my Montana background, never fails to liven up our family potlucks and everyday dinners. Elevating the ordinary to extraordinary and reminding us that good food knows no frontiers.
What You’ll Need
- 4 cups of day-old cooked jasmine rice
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 1 cup of garlic chives, cut into 1-inch lengths
- 1 cup of mixed fruits (pineapple, mango, and apple), chopped
- 4 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons of white sugar
- ½ teaspoon of white pepper
- 1 cup of roasted cashews
- 6 eggs
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
Method
Step One
First, make sure your Jasmine rice is cold. Using fresh, warm rice can result in a mushy fried rice. If you need to cool your rice quickly, spread it out on a flat surface until it reaches room temperature.
Step Two
Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan or wok. Add in the minced garlic and chopped shallots. Sauté these until they are golden and fragrant, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
Step Three
Next, Add the garlic chives to your pan and continue to sauté. Stir the ingredients constantly to prevent any from burning.
Step Four
Add the chopped mixed fruits to your pan and stir them in with your other ingredients. Continue to sauté these until the fruits have softened slightly, which should take approximately 2 minutes.
Step Five
Add the cold rice to your pan along with the soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Stir all these ingredients together, making sure the rice is thoroughly coated in the sauce and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step Six
In a separate pan, roast the cashews over medium heat until they are golden brown. Be careful to stir them frequently to prevent burning. Once they are done, set them aside.
Step Seven
In the same pan you cooked the cashews, fry the eggs with a bit of sesame oil. You can cook the eggs to your preference, but traditionally in fried rice, they are well scrambled.
Step Eight
Finally, add your roasted cashews and scrambled eggs to the large pan containing all your other ingredients. Stir everything together and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
Step Nine
Remove the pan from the heat and serve your garlic chive fried rice immediately. Enjoy your flavorful and satisfying meal!
