FRIED RICE & HAM

Monday is my heavy cleaning day, and it seems to take me a lot longer than it used to.  Since I’m getting older & slower, I usually also prepare something fast & easy on Monday.  If your Monday is bogged down, this is the recipe for you. 

On a side note:  This is to the Lady who sent me a “not so nice” comment about how much my blog annoys her. When time permits . . . I will UN-capitalize all the first letters of the ingredients in my recipes.  Like that’s ever going to happen!  

I don’t really like Rice,

unless . . .

I’m eating Fried Rice & Ham.

This was one of the first recipes I posted when I started a recipe blog.  As I look back, many of the posts are lacking pictures.  Rice just doesn’t pose well for pictures though. It tends to scatter while you’re not looking!  Natural light also disappears and the nights darkness comes to call at dinner time.  Perhaps . . . something is better than nothing at all.

 This is a family favorite recipe, and fast & easy to make. You can toss in anything your family likes.  We just like rice, ham, and scrambled eggs. One in a while I toss in some frozen green peas when it’s almost done. I’ll show you how I make it, and then . . . you can dress it up to fit your family. 

When I have leftover ham, I always make Fried Rice & Ham.

The amount of rice, ham, eggs, etc, all depends on the size of your family.

Plan on at least 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cooked rice for each family member.

For example:  For a family of four, I would probably measure 3 cups of uncooked rice minute rice, and add it to 3 cups of boiling water. Turn off the heat, cover it with a lid, and let it sit for at least five minutes.   Start by cutting your ham or leftover pork into small pieces . . . like this.

You can use a skillet on top of the stove, or an electric fry pan like my pic’s show.

Melt a Tablespoon of butter and a Tablespoon of margarine.

If you use all butter . . . it will burn!

My electric Fry Pan gets quite hot – it’s OLD.  I set mine at about 300 degrees.

Once the butter is melted and bubbly, toss in your ham.

*Note:  If you want to use green onions, mushrooms etc . . . Saute them first in the bubbly butter.

My family turns there noses up at onions, so I usually use Onion Salt or Powder. I don’t measure the Onion powder . . . just sprinkle lightly.  You can add more to taste. Now sprinkle  about 2 tablespoons of Brown Sugar over the top of that ham, and toss well. Let the ham get golden brown and the sugar will caramelize around it . . . oh yum! 

Look at the picture below:  Notice that I don’t mix all the butter/margarine in with the ham.  Try to save some ot that butter towards the backside of your pan.  You will need it for the eggs.

Once the ham is golden brown, and the butter & brown sugar has become a delicious syrup . . . you will add your eggs.

If you still have enough butter in the pan, you won’t need to add any more. If not . . . add a little bit more to fry your eggs in.

Push the ham to one side on your pan, and grab those eggs.

Crack, season with Salt & Pepper . . . and let them sizzle a minute or so in the hot butter/marg.

Just like this.

I just take my turner, and break the eggs up . . . scramble them, but don’t over do it. 

If you stir too much, you won’t know what happened to your eggs!

Don’t mix the eggs with the ham yet.  Just let that ham hide in the corner of your pan.

My sweet husband tells me often that I use too much pepper.  What do you think?  I love pepper!

Just continue tossing those eggs, until they take on the appearance of scrambled eggs.

 I know, I know . . . They don’t smile pretty for the camera either.

Now you can mix the ham and the eggs together.

I’m telling you, it might look ugly . . . but the taste if pure goodness. 

Remember you could also use pork or sausage.

Tonight I used White Minute Rice, but I much prefer the texture of Brown Rice.

Once the rice is cooked and ready, add it to the pan.

I add a touch of Brown Sugar, a shot or two of Soy Sauce, a few Parsley flakes, salt and of course . . .

more pepper!

 Toss . . . Turn . . . sizzle for a minute or two and Eat!

Serve this with a green salad and crusty Garlic Bread.

Easy when your short on time!