Yummy Fried Rice

Monthly recipes shared are budget friendly meals featuring seasonal ingredients that take no time at all to whip up.

January in Buffalo can be bitter cold, but it does not mean that we can not get fresh produce. This January I had the opportunity to try a variety of carrot from a local farm that I have never had before. Or at least I didn't know I did! I tried Paris Market carrots from Dirt Rich Farm. They are cute little carrots, smaller than your average grocery store carrot, but loaded with flavor. They have a nice note of spice, almost radish like.

Recipe: Yummy Fried Rice

Ingredients:

- 1 cup carrots, chopped or shredded

- ½ red pepper, chopped

- ½ onion, chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, chopped

- Tbsp. fresh ginger grated

- ½ cup frozen peas

- 1, 10 oz. can chicken (This is for convenience, please by all means use cooked chicken breast if you have it!)

- 2 cups cooked rice (cooled for more crisp rice)

- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

- 2 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos for GF*)

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet heat oil to medium. Add carrots, green pepper, onion, garlic and ginger, sautee for about 3 minutes.

2. Add peas and allow them to defrost, about 2 minutes.

3. Add cold* rice, chicken and any additional spices stirring constantly. (This is where I also chili powder, or African hot pepper for a little heat. You can use any of your favorite seasonings).

4. Add soy sauce, stirring to break up any clumps of rice.

5. Cook for about 1 minute more.

6. Serve hot, and Enjoy!

*If the rice is used warm right after you finish making it, you will get a softer, more moist fried rice. It might even come out a little soggy. When rice cools in the refrigerator it becomes drier (think of reheating leftover rice, it always needs a little water added). If you like a more crisp fried rice, let the rice cool.

Modifications:

*Add a fried egg to the top. I recommend frying the egg separately and then breaking the yolk over the top of your finished rice once it is served. You can omit the chicken for a vegetarian option.

*Substitute shrimp for the chicken. Add pineapple chunks during step 4.

*Substitute tofu for chicken for a vegan version.

*Green onions can be used to give a more authentic flavor, however I chose ingredients that are typical pantry staples.

Get creative with your pantry staples!

Rice, onion, pepper and garlic are always on hand in my kitchen. There are so many different things you can do with these ingredients.

Share your Yummy Fried Rice and modifications!

#nutritionwithnoelle