Fried Rice with Ham Recipe

Cooked rice: The base of the dish, providing a hearty and filling component.

Vegan ham: A plant-based protein that mimics the flavor and texture of traditional ham.

Frozen peas and carrots: Adds color, texture, and nutritional value to the dish.

Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami flavor that ties the ingredients together.

Sesame oil: Adds a rich, nutty flavor and is used for sautéing.

Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its aromatic and pungent taste.

Green onions: Used as a garnish, adding a fresh and slightly spicy note.

When making fried rice, it's essential to use day-old cooked rice rather than freshly cooked rice. The reason is that day-old rice is drier and less sticky, which helps achieve the desired texture. If you don't have day-old rice, you can spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and let it cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour. This will help dry out the rice and make it more suitable for stir-frying.

• vegan ham - Substitute with smoked tofu: Smoked tofu provides a similar texture and smoky flavor, making it a great alternative to vegan ham.

• frozen peas and carrots - Substitute with fresh or canned mixed vegetables: Fresh or canned mixed vegetables can offer a similar mix of flavors and textures, and can be more readily available.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce and has a similar umami flavor.

• sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a substitute for sesame oil, though it will lack the nutty flavor. You can add a small amount of toasted sesame seeds to compensate.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is not available, though it will have a slightly different texture and intensity.

• green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish or mixed into the dish.

• Allow the fried rice to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the rice soggy.
• Transfer the fried rice to an airtight container. Ensure the container is clean and dry to maintain the freshness of the rice.
• If storing in the refrigerator, place the container in the coldest part. The fried rice will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.
• For freezing, divide the fried rice into individual portions. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
• Use freezer-safe bags or containers. Label them with the date to keep track of storage time.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the fried rice in the refrigerator overnight if frozen.
• Reheat in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add a splash of water or vegetable broth to prevent drying out.
• Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave. Cover the fried rice with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
• Stir occasionally while reheating to ensure even heating and to break up any clumps.
• Enjoy your reheated fried rice as a quick and delicious meal!

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of sesame oil or olive oil to the pan.
  3. Add the leftover fried rice and stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
  4. If the rice seems dry, sprinkle a bit of water or vegetable broth and cover the skillet with a lid for a few minutes.
  5. Stir until the rice is heated through and enjoy.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the fried rice in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a splash of water or vegetable broth to keep the rice moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
  4. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Check the temperature and heat for an additional 30 seconds if needed.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread the fried rice evenly in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the rice from drying out.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to allow the top to crisp up slightly.

• Steamer Method:

  1. Place the fried rice in a heatproof bowl that fits inside your steamer.
  2. Fill the steamer with water and bring it to a boil.
  3. Place the bowl of rice in the steamer and cover with the lid.
  4. Steam for about 5-10 minutes, or until the rice is heated through.
  5. Stir the rice to ensure even heating and serve immediately.

• Wok: A large, round-bottomed cooking vessel ideal for stir-frying due to its high sides and even heat distribution.

• Spatula: A flat, broad tool used for flipping and stirring ingredients in the wok.

• Cutting board: A durable surface for safely chopping and dicing ingredients.

• Chef's knife: A versatile knife used for chopping garlic, dicing vegan ham, and slicing green onions.

• Measuring cups: Tools for accurately measuring the rice, peas, and carrots.

• Measuring spoons: Tools for measuring the soy sauce and sesame oil precisely.

• Garlic press: An optional tool for mincing garlic quickly and efficiently.

• Mixing bowl: A bowl for holding and mixing the cooked rice with other ingredients before adding them to the wok.

• Serving spoon: A large spoon used for serving the fried rice once it's ready.

• Tongs: Useful for handling and turning ingredients in the wok without breaking them apart.

Use pre-cooked rice: Save time by using leftover rice or pre-cooked rice from the store.

Frozen veggies: Opt for frozen peas and carrots to skip washing and chopping.

Pre-minced garlic: Use pre-minced garlic from a jar to avoid peeling and chopping.

Quick vegan ham: Choose pre-diced vegan ham to reduce prep time.

One-pan cooking: Cook everything in one wok to minimize cleanup.