My parents have been married for over 50 years, and one of the secrets to their happy marriage is my mom's delicious Chinese Fried Rice with SPAM. This recipe has been a staple in our family for as long as I can remember, and my mom swears that it was the dish that won my dad's heart and made him fall in love with her.
Growing up, I always looked forward to the days when my mom would make her famous fried rice. The aroma of the sizzling veggies and eggs, mixed with the savory soy sauce and tender rice, would fill the kitchen and make my mouth water. And when she added the chunks of crispy SPAM to the mix, the dish would take on a whole new level of flavor and texture.
Over the years, I've learned to make my mom's fried rice recipe and have even put my own spin on it by adding some extra spices. But no matter how I customize it, the taste of my childhood memories always shines through.
So, in honor of my parents' happy marriage and my love for this delicious dish, I want to share my mom's secret recipe for Chinese Fried Rice with SPAM. Trust me, it's sure to win your heart and your taste buds over!
For this recipe, I use overnight cooked white rice, eggs, mixed veggies (typically frozen), and either SPAM, bacon, or Chinese sausage. The SPAM, bacon or Chinese sausage adds a delicious salty flavor to the dish, but you can easily substitute it with any other protein of your choice.
Ingredients:
1.5 cups cooked white rice (overnight)
2-3 strips of bacon or 1/2 can of spam (less salt), cut into small pieces
2-3 eggs, beaten
2 minced cloves of garlic
1 cup mixed frozen veggies (carrots, peas, corn)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
2-3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil, for aroma
1 or 2 stalks of Spring onions, sliced
Preparations:
Cook the chopped SPAM in a large pan over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
In the same pan, scramble the beaten eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper until cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside with the SPAM.
In the same pan, sauté the minced garlic and mixed veggies in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil until tender, around 3-4 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan.
Add the cooked SPAM, scrambled eggs, and sautéed veggies to the pan.
Add the cooked rice, breaking up clumps with a spatula or wooden spoon, stirring everything together until well mixed.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of soy sauce over the top of the fried rice and stir to combine. Add more soy sauce to taste, if needed.
Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the pan and stir to combine.
Serve hot with chopped Spring Onions for extra flavor.
Note: Feel free to add seasonings and spices to the fried rice, such as chili flakes or onions, for an extra punch of flavor. And don't forget to customize the recipe with your preferred protein and veggies!
If you're looking for a healthier option, you can substitute brown rice for white rice and use turkey bacon or chicken instead of regular SPAM or bacon.
Despite that, it's important to note that fried rice can be high in sodium and calories, especially if you use SPAM or bacon as your protein. To make this recipe healthier, try using a low-sodium soy sauce and reducing the amount of added salt.
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