Monday, August 23, 2010
Soy Free Fried Rice
I don't know about everyone else, but I have a serious case of the Mondays today. I finally got some sleep on Saturday night, but I think we are just in some dire need of a vacation here. Unfortunately, there is not one in sight. Is it sad that we are going to consider a business trip to New York a vacation? Well, hopefully there will be some down time there to enjoy the city. That is our hope anyway.

I think the most frustrating part about this morning was getting Max to move. I would be proud at the willpower he has if he didn't use it to frustrate me. Have you ever tried to get a 65lb rock to move on its own, yeah that was what it was like to get him to get ready this morning. I am thinking I was not the only one in the house with a case of the Mondays! I guess I can't blame him...


Let's just go back to last night, shall we? It's kind of funny, everyone always assumes that I am the only one that cooks here, but the illustrator is really such an incredible cook! Since we are on our adventure with more veggies and eating more of the same things, he decided to make a vegetable soy free fried rice for us last night. He was determined to get me to love fried rice. Well, he won me over! This was so delicious!


I did the chopping while he did the cooking. I have to say that I have so much fun in the kitchen with him. Sometimes it is nice just to be the chopper and cleaner! We both have our own way of doing things in the kitchen, but we are definitely coming together on these things. He used to be a "throw" things in kinda guy. I hate not being able to repeat a great meal, so I like to measure things out. That way you don't have those moments of "this isn't as good as last time". Besides, with kids, you want it to be the way they expect it every time or they won't eat it.


The illustrator suggested that we do lettuce wraps with the fried rice and you know I was on board with that. Max was too since that boy can't get enough lettuce either (again, he is my son). Surprisingly, Jay is doing really well with vegetables now. He said last night that he didn't even miss the meat in this meal. That shocked everyone at the table. However, when you add enough other flavors...it really does not taste like vegetables (note: he did still pick the mushrooms out even though they were chopped and there were only a few).


On our walk this morning, I was doing the math in my head for this meal. I think we made all of this for maybe $5 at the most. Granted we had the sesame oil and ginger here already, but even still, this was extremely inexpensive, really easy to make and so good. I can't believe I am saying this, but I am already looking forward to making more fried rice!

Soy Free Fried Rice
(Makes 16 cups)

2 cups egg whites (or 8 eggs)

Spray a nonstick electric skillet with cooking spray and scramble the egg whites. Remove from the pan when done and set aside.

1 cup sliced onions
4 cloves garlic minced
1 TBSP sesame oil

Heat the oil in the electric skillet and then add the onions and garlic.  Cook for a couple of minutes until just translucent. Then add...

1 12 oz bag of frozen Asian vegetables (mine had green beans, broccoli, onion and mushrooms)
2 cups frozen peas and carrots
2 cups mung bean sprouts chopped
2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt (I needed more to my servings, but the boys used gluten free soy sauce)

Cover with lid to steam and then remove lid to saute.  When done, remove from pan.

8 cups cooked brown rice
3 TBSP sesame oil

Heat the oil in the skillet and then add the rice. Fry the rice stirring occasionally until browned.  Add everything back to reheat and enjoy!

Ok, I know this makes a lot, but I have 2 growing boys in the house that I can't keep full! So, you would probably need to make a smaller batch when you do this...unless you have growing boys too!

I HATE how greasy fried rice is out in restaurants and there are never enough vegetables for my taste. I think the fact that this one is loaded with vegetables and is low in oil made it so good for me.  Is there something that you make at home that you prefer over eating out in restaurants?


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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 4:43 PM  
14 Comments:
  • At August 23, 2010 at 5:58 PM, Anonymous Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said…

    This looks awesome! I'm with you--restaurant fried rice can be so greasy and heavy!

    You KNOW I've been having a case of the Mondays :-)

     
  • At August 23, 2010 at 6:07 PM, Anonymous homecookedem said…

    I love fried rice!! I used to order it in restaurants all the time, but you are so right... it is WAY too oily and lacking veggies. This looks so delicious!!

    I was a little stressed today just hoping that everything would go ok and that all the kids would get home alright, but it really wasn't too bad of a Monday for me. Overall, I'd say success. But I know I have a lot of cases of the Mondays in store for me soon!! At least labor day is coming up!! :)

     
  • At August 23, 2010 at 6:26 PM, Anonymous Amy B @ Second City Randomness said…

    Case of the Mondays is right! I'm with you on that one... but it's almost over! :)

    And it's not said a business trip is considered vacation- you're still getting away! I'd count it...

     
  • At August 23, 2010 at 8:03 PM, Blogger Nicole said…

    yummmm I love making dishes like this and then wrapping them in lettuce. Have you tried the spring roll wrappers? You'd like them!

     
  • At August 23, 2010 at 8:27 PM, Anonymous Heather (Where's the Beach) said…

    I totally had a case of the Mondays too! Those wraps look tasty and I am totally with you on restaurant and greasy - what is the deal with that? Hope Tuesday is a better day for you!

     
  • At August 23, 2010 at 9:11 PM, Blogger Emily said…

    So sorry about the rough Monday! Good thing its nearly over. :)

    This recipe looks delicious - it seems very similar to an appetizer I had on Saturday night! Yum.

     
  • At August 24, 2010 at 12:57 AM, Blogger Averie @ Averie Cooks said…

    ditto: I HATE how greasy fried rice is out in restaurants and there are never enough vegetables for my taste. !

    your version looks great!

    monday's, yeah, my hubs leaves every week and comes home thurs nite and i go to work all weekend. mondays suck. the hamster wheel starts fresh..joy oh joy :)

     
  • At August 24, 2010 at 8:50 AM, Anonymous Madeline - Greens and Jeans said…

    I haven't had fried rice in forever for that exact reason! I hate how heavy it is at restaurants!

     
  • At August 24, 2010 at 12:19 PM, Anonymous Holly @ couchpotatoathlete said…

    This looks so good. I love fried rice, but I hate how gross I feel afterward for eating all that oil and butter! And there are usually a few cut up carrots and onions, but thats it for veggies!

    I like making most meals at home over restaurant foods -- less oil, SALT, and junky ingredients in general.

     
  • At August 24, 2010 at 1:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    That looks awesome!!! I'd love some fried rice that isn't greasy and heavy.

     
  • At August 24, 2010 at 4:16 PM, Blogger Kenzie @ A Healthy Purpose said…

    great idea making a homemade version--i hate the greasy stuff but love fried rice! that lettuce picture is so cool, too.

     
  • At August 24, 2010 at 6:15 PM, Blogger Katie ♥ said…

    I dislike the fried rice when out dining too, I never get it!

    Its so much better to make meals and recreate them at home in a healthier way!

    Hope your week is great! xoxo

     
  • At August 26, 2010 at 9:16 AM, Blogger HEAB said…

    Love this recipe Sarena - thanks for sharing. I hate greasy fried rice from restaurants too...well, actually I love it, but I always feel so gross from all that oil! Hope to try the Illustrator's version sometime soon.

    Also love that your boys love their veggies. Oh, and in reference to your most latest post, eggs + hummus is an amazing combo. It saved me when I gave up cow's milk cheese. Thought I'd never taste anything as good as a melted cheesy omelet until I started stuffing them with hummus! :)

     
  • At September 3, 2010 at 10:52 AM, Anonymous Andrea (Off Her Cork) said…

    YUM! I love using iceberg lettuce for wraps and as cups. Makes things fun and it's refreshing!

    I'm not a fan of greasy fried rice either and prefer to make my own. Love the idea of putting it in lettuce!

     
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Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
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