Yummy Fried Rice!

Fried rice is a quick and easy meal that you can make to your tastes! It can also be pretty healthy, too, if you use a lot of vegetables and protein. Chinese people first started coming to America in the mid-1800s during the Gold Rush. Like many others, they were attracted to the idea of getting rich by finding gold! However, most people who participated in the Gold Rush didn’t end up finding gold. Many of the people who came to the US stayed here and were craving the taste of Chinese food from home, so people started making Chinese restaurants! Originally, these were very traditional. Over time, as more American people started eating at these restaurants, the restaurant owners adjusted their menus to cater more to their tastes. Chinese food became sweeter, more deep fried, and used more ingredients common in America. This is how we got dishes like orange chicken and lo mein.

Materials:

• Large skillet

• Small saucepan

• Wooden spoon or spatula

• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked white or brown rice, other grains like farro and quinoa also work

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup frozen vegetable mix -or- any combination of fresh vegetables

  • Chopped carrots, green beans, peas, broccoli, etc.

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup cooked protein (chicken breast, deli ham/turkey, tofu)

• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce or just use salt to taste

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or 2 more tablespoons vegetable oil)

Recipe:

1. Add vegetable oil to a pan and heat over medium heat.

2. Add vegetable mix and cook for about 3 minutes, or until cooked through.

3. Crack in eggs and scramble until cooked through.

4. Stir in rice and protein, if using.

5. Add soy sauce and sesame oil to taste.

6. Enjoy! Feel free to be creative and add different ingredients, or toppings like hot sauce or green onions.

Fun Q&A!

Q: What’s your favorite Chinese takeout dish?

A: As it turns out, most Chinese restaurants in America are actually mostly not authentic! Typical American Chinese food is like a fusion cuisine, combining both American and Chinese ingredients and tastes. However, there are also some very authentic Chinese restaurants, too!

Q: Do you know when Chinese people first started coming to America?

A: Chinese people first started coming to America in the mid-1800s during the Gold Rush. Like many others, they were attracted to the idea of getting rich by finding gold! However, most people who participated in the Gold Rush didn’t end up finding gold. Many of the people who came to the US stayed here and were craving the taste of Chinese food from home, so people started making Chinese restaurants! Originally, these were very traditional.

Q: If the restaurants started traditional, what do you think happened?

A: Over time, as more American people started eating at these restaurants, the restaurant owners adjusted their menus to cater more to their tastes. Chinese food became sweeter, more deep fried, and used more ingredients common in America. This is how we got dishes like orange chicken and lo mein.

Q: What about fortune cookies?

A: They’re delicious, but also actually not traditional! Fortune cookies were invented in California then spread to most American Chinese restaurants!