Natira (Leftover) Fried Rice
Introduction: Natira (Leftover) Fried Rice
Here is an easy meal to make in 30 mins or less. The components are Rice, Meat and Veggies.
Rice – The best rice for fried rice is day old rice. Cold rice will work if it was made in the morning, but it must be cold.
Meat – You can use chicken, pork or steak, but chicken and pork taste the best.
Veggies – Veggies are what you have in the fridge. I use what is cooked but raw celery and frozen onions are a tasty addition.
The Story:
Many a night I have come home after work to be staring at an empty stove with 5 or 6 hungry people longingly looking at me. Immediately I would go to the fridge and pull out any leftovers, from those humble beginnings this meal started. During the pandemic this Natira Fried Rice is a weekly staple. It has become a comfort meal.
There is no MSG, no added Salt, just the explosion of flavor from each ingredient culminating prior to the empty bowl. Leaving the satisfaction of heightened senses and a full stomach.
This is a Healthy and Tasty meal. While cooking each ingredient a tantalizing aroma will be produced, which is the beginning of making a great meal. Each smell wafts through the air calling familiar memories. As new scents are added the complexity and anticipation builds.
The benefits of this meal are:
1) Easy to make,
2) Using precooked foods reduces time.
3) A good use of small portions from former meals.
Step 1: Ingredients
This meal will serve 4 people, increase amounts when feeding more guests.
Skill Level:
Easy
Time to Complete:
30 minutes +-
Tools:
Large Fry Pan,
Large Metal Spatula,
Vegetable Knife,
Cutting Surface and
Teaspoon.
Ingredients:
Rice - 3+/- cups cooked,
Meat - 3-5 pieces,
Veggies - 1/2 cup,
Chopped Onions - 1/3 cup,
Minced Garlic - 2-4 teaspoons,
Celery - 1 stock,
Pine Nuts - 1/3 cup,
Toasted Sesame Oil - 1/4 cup and
Water as needed (not shown).
Not everyone has Minced Garlic, Pine Nuts or Sesame Oil. Substitute with what you have. I will add substitutions as needed.
Let’s go make a Natira Fried Rice.
Step 2: Veggies
Prepare any uncooked veggies.
If you are using uncooked or frozen veggies, this is the time they can be "steamed" while you are cutting and searing the meat. In this step you will be "cooking" those veggies that need more time to heat. Some vegetables do not require much time to cook. 277
Onions are often overcooked and loose their flavor because they are added too soon into the cooking process. For this meal I didn't have any leftover veggies so I cut up and "steamed" some peppers.
1) Cut the veggies into small pieces.
2) Place into dish with small amount of water in microwave.
3) Heat for 1 - 2 min depending on amount and type of veggies.
Next step Meat
Step 3: Meat
Here you are searing the meat. The burner is set at Medium / High heat. After you cut your meat into cubed pieces sear the pieces for a couple of mins until the aroma permeates the kitchen. When meat is heated move the meat from the center of the pan to the edges. The meat has already been cooked and has the previous meal's flavor. No need to add more spices.
1) Cut meat into cubes.
2) Set to Medium / High heat.
3) Sear meat 3 mins.
4) Move meat to pan edges.
Next step Vegetables
Step 4: Vegtables
In this step you are adding the veggies to the seared meat. Most veggies need more time to heat add the cooked or "steamed veggies". Cook for a couple of mins until the aroma permeates the kitchen. When veggies are heated move the veggies from the center of the pan to the edges. Keep the heat on Medium / High. This is not the time to add the onions, onions do not require as much cooking time.
1) Add 1/2 cup of veggies.
2) Keep Medium / High heat.
3) Heat veggies for 2 mins.
4) Move veggies to pan edges.
Next step Pine Nuts
Step 5: Pine Nuts
Pine nuts have a nice aroma and flavor when cooked. Cook for a couple of mins until the aroma permeates the kitchen. When nuts are heated move the nuts from the center of the pan to the edges. Keep the heat on Medium / High. 280