Fried Rice with Leftover Takeout Rice
Fried rice with tofu and vegetables, topped with fried egg
Leftover Rice
Have you ever ordered Chinese or Thai and find yourself with leftover rice? You refrigerate it and don’t have a clue what to do with it until you throw them out.
In many Asian cuisines, fried rice is made with leftover white rice that is often refrigerated overnight. In Chinese culture, refrigerated leftover rice makes the best fried rice because they are a little dried out, which makes the rice not clump together when frying, allowing every grain to absorb the seasoning of the fried rice.
Fried rice is traditionally made with whatever leftover ingredients you have in your fridge. The ingredients vary from day to day and household to household. It’s supposed to be simple, delicious and nutritious. However, many fried rice dishes made at a restaurant is drowned with seasonings and oil, making them more calorie-dense than they should be. Making your own fried rice at home can be very satisfying taste wise, and health wise.
Ingredients
Serves 4½ onion, diced (yellow/red/sweet)
1 poblano, diced
1 zucchini, diced
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 cups of chopped cabbage
4 Tbsp oyster sauce
1 packet firm tofu, cubed
1 ½ -2 boxes leftover rice (or 3-4 cups of cooked rice)
1 tsp white pepper
4 eggs
2 Tbsp oil (avocado/canola recommended)
Instructions
1. Prep vegetables
Dice or chop your vegetables. Mince the garlic and set aside.
2. Prep tofu
Cube tofu and air fry at 350’F for 15-20 minutes depending on the type of air fryer you use. You may want to flip them halfway through. If you’re lazy like me, you can leave them in there the entire time till done.
3. Heat wok
Heat your wok or pan to medium high heat, then add oil.
4. Add vegetables
Add your chopped vegetables and garlic then stir fry.
5. Season
Add oyster sauce and mix well.
6. Rice
Turn your heat down to low-medium then add your refrigerated rice. Try to press the grains down with your spatula. Chilled rice grains will come off each other a lot easier when cold. Stir fry to get the grains mixed well with the seasoned vegetables.
7. Add fried tofu
Add fried tofu and mix well. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
8. Fry egg
Fry an egg per person to top off your fried rice. Serve and enjoy!
Dietitian Notes
Each serving: 320-350cal | 35g carbs | 15g protein | 15g fat
I will say that sometimes I get two servings per meal and that is if I don’t have any other side dishes to make it a fuller meal. Two servings alone would bring calories and macros to a more reasonable level.
Tips & Variations
You may add other types of vegetables or proteins to change up the flavor but still tasty:
Napa cabbage
green beans
carrots
leek
broccoli
cauliflower
bell peppers
mushrooms
seafood
chicken (is alright flavor wise, not my personal choice but a good protein source)
pork loin
filet mignon or other lean cuts of beef
