Vegetable Fried Rice - an Indo-Chinese Recipe

Do you know what's more satisfying than cooking for your children? Its cooking WITH them. I have been experiencing this recently. My 3 year has taken an "interest" in cooking.

It started off with him running into the kitchen when I was cooking. If I was adding something to the pan, he would be like - "I want to do it.. I want to do it." I would let him add whatever it was - making sure he's well away from the fire.

Then one Sunday when my husband was working, I decided to make Vegetable Pulao and was chopping stuff for it. V came in and asked "What you making for me?" I told him I was making Vegetable Rice (Pulao) and he said he wanted to make it.

I thought he will just add one or two things and go away. But to my surprise, he actually added everything and stayed with me the whole time till I covered the pot to let the rice cook. After his dad came, he very proudly told him "I made vegetable rice."

Vegetable Pulao is something he always "helps" me with. The other day, when I told him I am going to make Vegetable Fried Rice for him that evening, he wanted to make it.

Now, whenever he's "helping" me, I keep all the ingredients in small bowls so he can just "throw" them into the pan without me fiddling with the spoons. If he feels the pan is getting hot when stirring, he holds my elbow and feels he's stirring.

Another thing I've noticed is he actually enjoys eating something he's made. At the same time, he's learning the different vegetables. What more can a mother ask for??? What do you cook with your children? Leave a note please.

Coming to today's recipe, it's a typical indo-chinese one that's available everywhere from the road side stalls to five star restaurants in India. I am specifying India as the fried rice you get in the UK is totally different.

This is ideal to use up any left over vegetables and rice. This is a basic version. You can add any sauces as you wish. I had to keep it simple as my 3 year old can't take too much spice. We had this with hot sauce but its tasty on its own too.

Serves: 2

Ingredients
3/4th cup Raw Rice - cooked and cooled(I used 3 day old rice that was in the fridge)
1/2 Onion - chopped
2 cups Mixed Vegetables - chopped(I used frozen mixed vegetables. I added 2 chopped mushrooms to it)
1 tbsp Garlic - chopped
1 tbsp Ginger - chopped
5 Spring Onions - finely chopped
1 tsp Soya Sauce
2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
Pepper to Taste
Salt to Taste
2 - 3 tbsp Chopped Spring Onion Greens for garnishing

Method

1. Heat a wok on high flame. When hot, add the Oil.
2. When the oil is hot, add the Ginger and Garlic and toss till the garlic starts to turn brown. Take care the garlic doesn't burn.
3. Add the Onion and toss for a minute.
4. Now add the chopped vegetables and toss for another 3 - 4 minutes.
5. Add the Spring Onions, Soya Sauce, Salt & Pepper and mix well.
6. At this point, reduce the heat to low and add rice.
7. Mix the rice well, cover the wok and leave it for a minute or two so the rice gets heated through.
8. Garnish with chopped Spring Onion Greens and serve hot.

This goes to the following events:

Srav's Cooking Concepts #8 - Vegan Diet

Kalyani's Holi Fest - Colourful Palette

Jaya's Healthy Diet Food - Easy and Healthy Lunch started by Priya

Krithi's &Denny's Serve it - Stir Fried