Fried Rice with Shrimp and Pork

Fried rice with shrimp and pork or any kind of fried rice is considered to be one of the national dishes of China. Rice is a staple in the Chinese culture. In Chinese cooking you will find noodles made from rice flour, rice cakes, dumplings, pastries made with rice, and rice porridge or congee.

It is not necessary to have a wok to make fried rice, but if you do have a wok, make sure that it is well seasoned. You may also choose to use a deep skillet. Make sure that whatever you choose to cook the fried rice in that you can get it to a high temperature.

This recipe is for fried rice with shrimp and pork. Fried rice can be made with chicken, beef, any kind of seafood, or perhaps you would prefer to make a vegetarian version of fried rice. I use short grained brown rice that has been cooked ahead or even better, I may use leftovers from a previous meal. If you don’t have any cooked rice in the fridge, try to cook some rice a couple of hours ahead and allow it to cool, uncovered, in the refrigerator so it will dry out. You can use any type of rice such as a long grain white rice or a jasmine rice. Try to avoid a rice that gets sticky because you want the rice to be dry with very little clumping.

Use your imagination and get creative with your leftovers or seasonal vegetables that may be available. Start with a little minced garlic and ginger and add some diced carrots for color. After that, you can add and layer your favorite vegetables and other seasonings. The soy sauce and sesame oil add a little color and flavor to the rice. If you like it spicy, I recommend using red pepper flakes or sriracha. This is a quick and easy middle of the week meal that is hearty and healthy!!