My Own Eight Jewel Fried Rice

By

"My fascination with catchy menu language was almost my downfall one evening as I carefully read the menu of a newly discovered Chinese restaurant on Long Island.

Everyone ordered a favorite dish, and I was asked to choose "a dish for the table." Eight Jewel Fried Rice sounded interesting.

When our orders arrived, everything looked appetizing, and all the guests owned up to the dish they had selected. But as mine was placed in front of me, it became apparent I had ordered the wrong jewels.

These were not perfect vegetables from some wonderful Asian garden, as I had expected, but offal - you know, inner organs. The moral: Always ask what kind of jewels you're getting for $7.95.

And trust me, when I make My Own Eight Jewel Fried Rice, it is loaded with delicious vegetables, aromatic rice and colorful tofu - not unmentionables. This recipe is good enough for company and, if you like, you can add 2 ounces of cooked shrimp or chicken with the cooked rice."

Steve Petusevsky

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  • 6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup uncooked brown or brown basmati rice
  • 2 tsp canola oil
  • 2 tsp Asian sesame oil
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger root
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 2 cups chopped green cabbage
  • 6 scallions, minced
  • 1 pound extra-firm tofu, drained
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red chili flakes, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Add the rice, return to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes or until rice is tender and water absorbed.

Meanwhile, heat oils in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli florets and saute over medium heat. Add ginger root, garlic and remaining vegetables; continue to saute 2 minutes or until they begin to soften. Remove from heat and set aside.

Crumble tofu into a bowl. Add the turmeric and mix well; the tofu will turn yellow and resemble scrambled eggs. Add the tofu to the sauteed vegetables and return to medium heat. Add the soy sauce and cooked rice; mix well. Saute for another minute until heated through. Add chili flakes if desired for a spicier flavor.

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