Rice

Fried Rice that Might be Wrong But Tastes Right

May 14, 2015

Every other Thursday, Gena Hamshaw of the blog Choosing Raw shares satisfying, flavorful recipes that also happen to be vegan.

Today: Is there a wrong way to make fried rice? Not when it tastes this good.

Shop the Story

Fried rice might be the ultimate weeknight supper. Versatile, adaptable, easy, and quick, it requires no formal recipe or method. In fact, I realized as I was creating this recipe that I have no idea whether or not I’ve been making fried rice "right" or "wrong" all this time. I know I’ve been making it untraditionally, since I don’t add the classic stir-fried egg component. But beyond that, am I getting it right?

Honestly, I have no idea. But I do know that what I’ve always called fried rice—a mixture of fried vegetables, leftover brown rice, and seasonings that include tamari, garlic, and sesame oil—has stood the test of time. It’s a no-brainer dinner in my home, and I use it as a chance to savor seasonal produce.

More: Vegan bolognese might not be bolognese, but it sure tastes good. 

This particular fried rice recipe is perfect for spring. Baby bok choy meets peas and ginger for an easy and healthy dinner. The recipe just happens to be both vegan and gluten free, which means that you can use it to confidently feed friends with all sorts of dietary preferences. Or just make a big batch and enjoy it for dinner and lunch all week long, perhaps drizzled with a ribbon of Sesame Tahini Dressing.

Fried Rice with Ginger, Bok Choy, and Peas

Serves 4

1 cup short- or medium-grain brown rice
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons coconut or peanut oil
2 cups water
Salt
1 cup chopped white or yellow onion
1 tablespoon minced or grated fresh ginger
2 cups shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chopped baby bok choy
1 1/2 cups frozen and thawed green peas
1 tablespoon tamari
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 to 2 dashes red pepper flakes
2 large scallions, chopped

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

Photos by James Ransom

Order now

A New Way to Dinner, co-authored by Food52's founders Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, is an indispensable playbook for stress-free meal-planning (hint: cook foundational dishes on the weekend and mix and match ‘em through the week).

Order now

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

Gena is a registered dietitian, recipe developer, and food blogger. She's the author of three cookbooks, including Power Plates (2017) and Food52 Vegan (2015). She enjoys cooking vegetables, making bread, and challenging herself with vegan baking projects.

0 Comments