Delicious Easy Fried Rice

Happy December, Everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful time over Thanksgiving visiting family and friends before heading back to classes and finals! Or, maybe you are already done with your coursework until 2015--lucky you!

Celebrate giving, friends, contributing to our community and other people, ie remove all focus from ourselves, and, instead, work to bring us and others together! These efforts don't need to be large or loud in order to help someone out or make their day--it's the little things that will make all the difference.

That said, there is no better way to bring folks together than food. Keep it simple. 

Soup. Tortilla Soup. Lentil Soup. Lemon-Orzo Soup. Just to name a few.

Spaghetti. 

Chili. 

Nothing fancy. 

Or, like on today's blog...put your leftovers to good use with a large batch of fried rice. This is not only pure comfort food if you are in the midst of studying and finals, but this will make a enough to share and make someone's day!

This recipe is especially easy if you have leftover rice and meat, because then you just throw it all together. If not, no biggie...you'll just have two extra steps making rice or searing a few chicken breasts, steak or pork. Or, go vegetarian altogether! 

Tip: 

Use Uncle Ben's Minute Rice / Instant rice in a pinch, but be sure that it is completely cooled before starting the recipe.

(Adapted and spiced up from This Is A Cookbook Recipes For Real Life by Eli & Max Sussman)

Super Easy Fried Rice

Equipment:

Large non-stick skillet

Small mixing bowl

Wooden spoon

Spatulas

Ingredients:

3 large eggs, scrambled

2 cups cooked rice, cooled

1-2 cups chicken, pork, beef (optional), seared and chopped

1-2 carrots, peeled and diced

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

5 Tbls vegetable oil

2-3 Tbls soy sauce

Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 cup Green onions, chopped

1-2 tsp siracha or chili sauce (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Prep and chop all of your veggies and meats. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl, lightly beat your eggs with a fork.

4. Using the large skillet, heat 1 Tbls of vegetable oil over MEDIUM heat. Add the eggs. Allow to set and cook slightly. Use a wooden spoon to scrap the eggs while they cook. Set scrambled eggs aside.

5. Using the same skillet, heat 2 Tbls of oil and sear the carrot and peas until slightly browned, approx 3-4 minutes. Set aside with the eggs.

6. Continue using the same skillet. Heat remaining 2 Tbls of oil over HIGH heat and add cooled rice in one flat layer. Do not touch for 2-3 minutes. 

7. Try to flip the rice to sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes.

8. Continue cooking rice and stirring with wooden spoon. It should be slightly browned and crispy.

9. Add your eggs, carrots, peas, meat, and green onions.

10. Add soy sauce and red pepper flakes. Adjust flavors according to your taste.

Dig in and share of bowl of comfort and goodness to start the Month of Giving!

Check later for more options on giving.
Will be posting coupons regularly for you to use to spread cheer and make someone's day!!

Under The Mistletoe Part 2

Parties continue.
Mistletoe everywhere.
Avoid the "kissing disease".
Avoid the rest of us if you are sick.

Check out Cool Campus Living Blog:  Under The Mistletoe Part 2

Under The Mistletoe Part I

Mistletoe, parties, and holiday cheer.
Make sure you brush your teeth, use mouthwash.
Put a condom on it.
Your parents don't want any grand babies…yet!
This year avoid these "gifts that keep on giving".

Check out Cool Campus Living Blog:  Under The Mistletoe Part 1

All I Want For Christmas

If you are following along with my blog, you may have noticed that I have tried to avoid special equipment or costly kitchen gadgets; in fact, frequently recipes use the same or similar equipment featured in the previous blog.

If you are new to my blog, interested in trying some of the recipes, and are wondering 'just what type of kitchen gear do I need?', I have got just the list for you.  Start simple.  And remember, it's close to Christmas time!

A. Basic Starter Equipment

   1. Non-stick Skillets

            -ideally, you need an 8", 10", and 12"

            -the cheapest way to get these is at Bed, Bath, Beyond type store that sells them together

            -this is one of the items worth investing in

   2. Measuring Cups & Spoons

            -most of baking and cooking is all about proportions, ratios, and measuring

            -Walgreens will get you both for under $5, plastic is just fine

   3. Mixing Bowls 

            -these are also sold in sets. Try to get a large, medium and smaller bowl set.

            -Pyrex has a great mixer set with measurements printed on the outside

   4. Pyrex / Oven-proof Baking Dishes

            -again, these are sold in sets. 

            -Pyrex has a large, medium combo at stores.  Make sure it includes 9" x 13" x 2".

   5. Saucepans

            -3-quart and 5-quart sauce pans with lids

            -for boiling large amounts of water, making soups, pasta, rice

   6. Knives

           -a good set is expensive, but this is well worth the cost

           -choose to have 3 or 4 good knives rather than a wooden block stuffed with cheap, bad ones

   7. Baking Sheets

           -these come in sets 

           -get those with edges, better known as jelly-roll pan

   8.  Necessities

           -whisks

           -set of spatulas

           -cutting boards

           -grater

           -tongs

           -sieve / collander 

   9. Specialty Equipment I Have Used In Blog / Highly Recommended 

           -Magic-Bullet / Nutri-Bullet--these are so versatile. Well-worth the money. Great gift request!

           -Cupcake / Muffin Tin

           

   10. Extras If You Can / To Consider

          -Hand-mixer

          -Grill Skillet

          -Sifter

Cooking equipment can be expensive--and for some things it is worth the money, but remember, measuring cups do not need to be stainless steel or gold-plated, they just need to measure accurately, right?

B. Great places to look for fantastic deals on cookware:

   1. Ask the parents.  

             -Oftentimes, it's a great excuse for them to upgrade to a better tool, skillet, gadget. 

             -Doesn't hurt to ask!

   2. Thriftstores & Yard Sales

             -yep, head to the Salvation Army or Goodwill store or garage sale

             -nowhere else will you find cups, glasses, and silverware for a few bucks or cents

   3. Marshalls / TJMaxx

             -you know that kitchen / home section in the back of the store?  Yep, that one.

             -I have found many a brand new platter, skillet, special equipment for half the cost.

             -sometimes even electronic kitchen gear, ie mixers, coffeemakers

   4. IKEA

             -if you are so fortunate, head over to an IKEA store

             -awesome store for furnishings, home, kitchen, and small spaces

             -you can find virtually the entire list below at IKEA for a decent price

   5. Online Retailers
             -I am sure you are well-versed for finding the deals in this area