Cashew Mandarin Orange Fried RiceThis healthy Fried Rice recipe is big on flavor, yet simple to make. My first suggestion is to prepare all the ingredients before starting th e cooking. Cooking with a wok is fast due to the high heat, so it pays to be ready.
Ingredients
6 cups freshly cooked rice (long-grain, or brown rice)
1 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger root
1/2 large onion, cut into 1/4 inch slivers
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/4 cup low salt soy sauce
1/3 cup grated carrots
1 Tbsp. Apricot preserves
1 tsp red chili paste
11 oz can mandarin orange wedges
2 oz whole cashews
While the rice is cooking, prepare the other ingredients and set aside. When the the rice is just ready, heat a large nonstick wok for about a minute at high heat. Add the sesame and olive oil, and allow it to heat for about a minute, or less if it starts smoking. Carefully add the ginger, garlic, and onions (they should sizzle quite a bit). Saute for a couple of minutes until the onions start to turn translucent. Add the soy sauce and vegetable broth and allow to simmer for 30 seconds.
Add carrots, apricot preserves, and chili paste, and mix into the sauce for 30 seconds. Add the cashews and orange wedges, then immediately beging spooning in half the rice. Stir from the bottom, trying not to break the orange wedges. Add the rest of the rice and stir until the sauce has mostly covered the rice. Serve immediately.
Feel free to experiment with this recipe. For instance, if you use green onions instead of white, chop the white part very small and include it with the garlic and ginger. Cut the green part of the onions into 1 inch pieces and add with the carrots. Or use almonds or peanuts if you prefer. Some other veggies to consider are bell peppers, bok choy, or anything else that comes to mind.
The chili paste is optional, and you can add more or less if you like. I find the recommended amount to be just noticable but not really hot.