Fried Rice Secrets  

Nasi Goreng Image via flickr user Felix Krohn

I don't know anyone who doesn't like fried rice. Which may be why versions of it can be found in most countries. Most everywhere you go though, fried rice is made when you want to use up leftovers. When students tell me they just can't master fried rice, it always turns out mushy or gloppy, the problem is invariably the use of fresh cooked rice. In the US we eat fried rice mostly as take out, so it's not always obvious that one needs to use day old, or older, rice to make the dish perfect. From now on, any time you have some leftover rice, pop it in the fridge or freezer, save until you've got a few cupfuls, and then make a delicious meal!    

Now that you know the secret to fried rice, you can take it farther by trying out the types of ingredients typical with different Asian countries. Here are some common flavor profiles: 

Mandarin Chinese - Use lap cheong sausage for its sweet flavor, plus garlic, ginger, scallions, and white pepper. Eggs are usually scrambled into and mixed throughout the rice.  

Thai - The signature Thai fried rice, khao op sapparot, is served in a pineapple, topped with crab meat. Curry is the main flavor, with a sweet note from the addition of raisins. More everyday Thai fried rice combines the traditional flavors of lime, fish sauce, and chili. Similar to other Thai dishes there's always condiments to add, such as cilantro and cucumbers. Be sure to use jasmine rice!  

Indonesian - Here fried rice (called nasi goreng) will of course have kecap manis, which is a thick, palm sugar-sweetened soy sauce, and is the typical soy sauce of Indonesia. Also common is using chili paste and topping the rice with a fried egg and fried shallots. Serve it for breakfast to have it the Indonesian way.     

Korean kimchi fried rice Image via flickr user rex roof

Korean - Bokkeumbap is the Korean way to use up leftover rice and old kimchi. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. A fried egg is a common topping here too.  

Japanese - Well, Japanese fried rice is basically just a version of Chinese fried rice. My dad would make it with wieners, and if you're in Hawaii you'd get spam!    

Food for Thought  

Book Recommendations by Marlene Bosanko 

Recipe Resource

Burmese Cabbage Salad at   New Asian Cuisne

Need some help finding recipes for your favorite Asian dishes?  New Asian Cuisine is a database of hundreds of recipes from many of my favorite cookbook authors, bloggers, and restaurants. I recently went there for inspiration for dealing with a head of farmers market cabbage so beautiful it deserved more than the usual gloppy coleslaw. The Crunchy Burmese Cabbage Salad I found was the perfect answer: light, crunchy, and with fresh summer flavor. I definitely recommend you check out this resource!  

Community Calendar

TomatoMania!  at U-District Farmers Market 

Time: Sat. Aug 27, 10a-12p 

Location: Corner of 50th and University Way NE. 98105 

There is really nothing better than a fresh, ripe, locally-grown tomato!  At Tomato Mania, hosted by Edible Seattle Magazine, shoppers can sample incredible varieties of tomatoes from farms like Kittitas, Grouse Mountain, Alm Hill, Mair-Taki, Xai Cha, Homestead Organic, Rent's Due, River Farm, Rockridge Orchards, Sol to Seed and Willie Green's.
 
Edible Seattle will also host a cooking demo featuring excellent tomato- focused recipes from their current magazine issue.  Samples will be provided!  All events are free and open to the public.   

Chinatown-ID Night Market   

Time: Sat. Aug 27, 6p-11p 

Location: Hing Hay Park (S. King St. & Maynard Ave. S.)

The Night Market features an

exciting variety of food, shopping, and entertainment and attracts thousands of people to the heart of Seattle's Chinatown to sample new foods, and explore what is unique and fun about the area. 

The evening is filled with local vendors showcasing a unique mix of cultural arts and crafts and international cuisine offering something that will satisfy everyone's taste buds. In addition to food and shopping, the event features cultural performances including Chinese lion and dragon dances, live art demonstrations, as well as a free outdoor showing of new Karate Kid in Hing Hay Park. *Admission is free and open to the public.

Joule Urban BBQ - Japanese Yakiniku

Time: Sun. Aug 28, 3p-9p

Location: Joule Restaurant: 1913 N. 45 St Seattle, 98103

This Sunday, for their last weekly Urban BBQ event, Joule is featuring Yakiniku. Savor your summer with sweet soy barbque! Adults $20, Kids $12. Walk in or call for reservations.    

2011 Aki Matsuri  

Time: Sat. Sept 10, 10a-6p and
Sun. Sept 11, 10a-4:30p   

Location: Bellevue College Main Campus, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007   

Japan comes to the Bellevue College for a weekend! A two-day program of Japanese cultural and educational events for all ages!

The matsuri includes 2 full days of on-stage Performing Arts, Martial Art demonstrations by local dojo members, Puppet Shows based on Japanese Folk Tales, Tea Ceremony demonstrations, more than 80 exhibit booths, and Japanese food booths. There are workshops on bonsai, taiko, and Japanese Gardening Presentation. Browse through "Nomi-no-ichi ... a Japanese style flea market" to make a lucky find! Meet with Aki Matsuri Mascot and friends!

The 20th Annual Koi Show by the Washington Koi & Water Garden Society will be held at Bellevue College during Aki Matsuri Weekend.