Soy Free Fried Rice

I don't know about everyone else, but I have a serious case of the Mondays today. I finally got some sleep on Saturday night, but I think we are just in some dire need of a vacation here. Unfortunately, there is not one in sight. Is it sad that we are going to consider a business trip to New York a vacation? Well, hopefully there will be some down time there to enjoy the city. That is our hope anyway.

I think the most frustrating part about this morning was getting Max to move. I would be proud at the willpower he has if he didn't use it to frustrate me. Have you ever tried to get a 65lb rock to move on its own, yeah that was what it was like to get him to get ready this morning. I am thinking I was not the only one in the house with a case of the Mondays! I guess I can't blame him...

Let's just go back to last night, shall we? It's kind of funny, everyone always assumes that I am the only one that cooks here, but the illustrator is really such an incredible cook! Since we are on our adventure with more veggies and eating more of the same things, he decided to make a vegetable soy free fried rice for us last night. He was determined to get me to love fried rice. Well, he won me over! This was so delicious!

I did the chopping while he did the cooking. I have to say that I have so much fun in the kitchen with him. Sometimes it is nice just to be the chopper and cleaner! We both have our own way of doing things in the kitchen, but we are definitely coming together on these things. He used to be a "throw" things in kinda guy. I hate not being able to repeat a great meal, so I like to measure things out. That way you don't have those moments of "this isn't as good as last time". Besides, with kids, you want it to be the way they expect it every time or they won't eat it.

The illustrator suggested that we do lettuce wraps with the fried rice and you know I was on board with that. Max was too since that boy can't get enough lettuce either (again, he is my son). Surprisingly, Jay is doing really well with vegetables now. He said last night that he didn't even miss the meat in this meal. That shocked everyone at the table. However, when you add enough other flavors...it really does not taste like vegetables (note: he did still pick the mushrooms out even though they were chopped and there were only a few).

On our walk this morning, I was doing the math in my head for this meal. I think we made all of this for maybe $5 at the most. Granted we had the sesame oil and ginger here already, but even still, this was extremely inexpensive, really easy to make and so good. I can't believe I am saying this, but I am already looking forward to making more fried rice!

Soy Free Fried Rice

(Makes 16 cups)

2 cups egg whites (or 8 eggs)

Spray a nonstick electric skillet with cooking spray and scramble the egg whites. Remove from the pan when done and set aside.

1 cup sliced onions

4 cloves garlic minced

1 TBSP sesame oil

Heat the oil in the electric skillet and then add the onions and garlic.  Cook for a couple of minutes until just translucent. Then add...

1 12 oz bag of frozen Asian vegetables (mine had green beans, broccoli, onion and mushrooms)

2 cups frozen peas and carrots

2 cups mung bean sprouts chopped

2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp salt (I needed more to my servings, but the boys used gluten free soy sauce)

Cover with lid to steam and then remove lid to saute.  When done, remove from pan.

8 cups cooked brown rice

3 TBSP sesame oil

Heat the oil in the skillet and then add the rice. Fry the rice stirring occasionally until browned.  Add everything back to reheat and enjoy!

Ok, I know this makes a lot, but I have 2 growing boys in the house that I can't keep full! So, you would probably need to make a smaller batch when you do this...unless you have growing boys too!

I HATE how greasy fried rice is out in restaurants and there are never enough vegetables for my taste. I think the fact that this one is loaded with vegetables and is low in oil made it so good for me.  Is there something that you make at home that you prefer over eating out in restaurants?