FRIED RICE

Finally . . . I've found a great fried rice recipe!!

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

2 large eggs, lightly beaten with a pinch of kosher salt

4 scallions (white and green), thinly sliced

1/4 cup grated carrot

3 large cloves of garlic, minced

Pinch red chile flakes

1 tablespoon of minced peeled fresh ginger

2 tablespoons soy sauce (sometimes I substitute a tablespoon of kecap manis)

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

3 cups cooked jasmine rice

1 cup cooked meat cut in 1/2-inch cubes, such as pork, ham, beef, or chicken

1/2 cup frozen peas, defrosted in a strainer at room temperature

It may be worth your while to have EVERYTHING prepped to go BEFORE you start cooking.

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a well-seasoned wok or large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl to coat the pan. Pour in the eggs, swirl the pan so the egg forms a large thin pancake. As soon as the egg has set, turn it out of the pan onto a cutting board. Cool, cut into 1 inch pieces.

Wipe out the pan with a paper towel and heat the remaining vegetable oil over high heat. Add the scallions and carrots and stir-fry for 1 1/2 minutes. Add the garlic, chile, and ginger, stir-fry for 1 minute more. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil and rice and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the meat, peas, and reserved egg, cook, stirring until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

RISOTTO PARMIGIANO

---

RISOTTO PARMIGIANO

5 - 6 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, minced
1 1/2 cups arborio rice (I use RiceSelect)
3 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley (optional)
salt and pepper
2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

In a small saucepan, bring stock to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer.

In a medium saucepan, saute the onion at medium heat, stirring until the onion is translucent but does not brown. Add minced garlic, rice and stir. Turn heat to medium high and stir in 1/2 cup broth.

Bring heat to medium-high, and pour in about 1/2 cup of the stock, keeping the mixture boiling, stirring continuously.

As the broth is absorbed, continue to add broth as needed, 1/2 cup at a time.

It is important to keep the mixture boiling, but keep stirring to keep it from sticking to the pot.

It may take about a 30 minutes for all of the broth to be absorbed by the rice and for the rice to become tender.

When rice is done, stir in the butter and cheese, then serve warm. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a garnish, if desired.

The whole cooking process may take 25-30 minutes. Once all the stock has been absorbed, and the risotto is tender, remove the pan from the heat and quickly stir in the butter and Parmesan.

******This makes a SUBSTANTIAL amount of risotto. I usually halve the recipe