Sunday, June 07, 2009

Chinese Takeout at Home – Chicken Fried Rice

We never ordered takeout at our house when I was growing up. We were much more of a do-it-yourself style family in the kitchen. When we partook of Chinese food, it was a rare treat, and was usually enjoyed in the restaurant. I was probably well into my college years when I first experienced the vicarious thrill and immediate gratification of having food delivered directly to my door.

Now, years later, the takeout thrill has passed and I’m comfortably back in do-it-yourself mode (Some behaviors are just genetic). But, there is a certain exhilaration that comes with making your own takeout-style meal at home. I was skeptical, but this recipe for Chicken Fried Rice, discovered in the 1997 edition of Joy of Cooking really delivers that authentic takeout taste, in about the time it takes to dial the phone and find your wallet.


Chicken Fried Rice (Adapted from Joy of Cooking 1997 Edition)

4 eggs beaten with ½ teaspoon of salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 to 4 cups cold cooked rice
Soy sauce to taste
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
½ cup sliced scallions
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 to 2 cups of cooked diced chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large, non-stick skillet until very hot. Add the eggs and stir in the pan to cook quickly. When the eggs set, remove them to a separate bowl. Add remaining oil and heat until hot. Add the rice and ginger and stir to coat with the oil for about three minutes. Season with soy sauce to taste. Add scallions, peas and chicken and heat through. Remove from heat and stir in the cooked eggs.


Give it a try. You certainly won’t have to worry about your dinner getting cold on the trip from the restaurant to your house.

© 2009 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved

10 comments:

  1. Another nice thing about Homemade fried rice is it's a great way to use up leftovers -- random bits of chicken or vegetables.

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  2. great fried rice you've got there - I have never liked takeout because I am so distrustful of the delivery process

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  3. We're not takout family either. Except a pizza once in a while. I like your fried rice. I never think of making it :)

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  4. This made me realize it's been far too long since I've made fried rice. Sounds delicious!

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  5. TW, I make this often.
    I usually make it with leftover chicken or shrimp. Easy and delish!

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  6. I've always done lots of Chinese cooking, but never more than I have since I moved out of the range of Chinese food delivery! Here in the woods, it's just much easier to learn how to make your own great Chinese food. I make a rice cooker full of rice every now and then, and freeze the cooked rice in small containers. Then, when the urge for fried rice hits, I'm ready.

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  7. Yum! I love a perfectly made fried rice and looks like this is it!

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  8. We were the opposite in my house. We loved Chinese take-out! My mom only wanted food that she "couldn't make" at home herself. So we rarely ordered pizza, but lo mein and egg rolls were big hits! I love this fried rice, TW. You know, I have a pineapple right now; maybe I should make pineapple fried rice.

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  9. What I love about making fried rice is being able to enjoy leftovers in a tasty way. Yummy!

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  10. WOW! T.W. a dish I can actually make myself @ home. Chinese Take-out is not quite the same in PA. I better save this recipe. Thanks for sharing...

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