While flipping through the index of one of my favorite vegetarian cookbooks (desperately trying to come up with an “I” recipe), I was intrigued by the recipe for Indonesian Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng).
I don’t make fried rice all that often, but my kids really like it, and it’s a great way to use up leftover rice. It’s also a great way to use up any “random” veggies you may have hanging out in your refrigerator.
Nasi Goreng is often served with a fried egg on top of, or next to, the rice. There are many ways to make Nasi Goreng, though: you could add some cooked sustainable shrimp, organic chicken or beef instead, if you like, or keep it vegan and top with some cooked tofu or tempeh, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, finely shredded Napa cabbage, organic peanuts and/or almonds…
Nasi Goreng is best made with cooked rice that has had at least a few hours to cool.
Indonesian Fried Rice Recipe (How to Make Nasi Goreng)
Adapted from Vegetarian Cooking For Everyone by Deborah Madison
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked brown or white jasmine rice
3 shallots or 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
2 small chile peppers, seeded and minced
3 tablespoon(s) peanut or coconut oil
2 Tb. wheat-free soy sauce or tamari (or fish sauce) mixed with 1 Tb. organic brown sugar or molasses
1 tsp. organic ketchup or tomato sauce
Pinch of Himalayan or sea salt
1/2 cup peas or snow peas
1-2 cups shredded cabbage, sliced peppers, sliced carrots, chopped broccoli or any other veggies (I used leftover Ginger Garlic Greens)- optional
1 bunch of scallions, diagonally sliced
Directions:
Stir the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a wok and fry the shallots and chilies until the shallots are tender (about 1 minute). Add the sweetened soy sauce or fish sauce and the ketchup.
Add salt and the rice and stir-fry until heated through.
Add the vegetables you are using and most of the scallions and cook for a minute or two more (or until vegetables are cooked through).
Scoop rice out onto a serving platter and garnish with the remaining scallions and any of the other accompaniments mentioned above.
If it’s not spicy enough for you, you can serve your fried rice with your favorite Asian chili sauce.
