Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Barbara's Stir Fry (Pork Fried Rice)


Pork fried rice is one of our favorite things to order in a Chinese restaurant. With just a little prep work, this wonderful stir fry can be made in less than 15 minutes. 

Loaded with veggies, this delicious and easy recipe was inspired by my friend, Barbara, at Moveable Feasts.  Although Barbara doesn't actively blog any longer, you can still find her on Instagram where she shares the wonderful archive of recipes from her website.  Recently, she shared this stir-fry recipe, which she learned from a Chinese women during her family's Air Force years in the 50's.


I adapted the recipe slightly and used frozen peas and fresh pea shoots.  I also added diced, slow-roasted pork shoulder (a great recipe which lends itself perfectly to stir fry recipes). Recipe below.

Chinese New Year is coming soon (The Year of the Dog) and begins on February 16!

Barbara's Stir Fry



3 cups cooked brown rice (or any rice you have left over) 
2 or 3 eggs 
2 tablespoon canola or peanut oil, divided
1 large shallot, chopped, or regular onion - about 1/4 cup
2 cloves garlic, diced or minced
6 scallions, sliced very thinly  
1/2 cup shredded carrots (I use a box grater)
1/2 cup diced water chestnuts (optional)
1 cup peas, (defrosted if frozen) or ready-to-eat edamame 
1 cup diced, previously roasted pork shoulder (you may also use diced shrimp or chicken) 
2 tablespoons soy sauce 
salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Garnish with Fresh Pea shoots, if available, or, with thinly sliced green onion tops

Note:  Diced bok choy or small broccoli florets would also be great vegetable choices in the stir fry.  Add when adding the shredded carrot.  

Heat a saute pan or wok large enough to hold all the above ingredients over medium-high heat and add a little neutral flavored oil. When the oil is heated, add the eggs and scramble them briefly, breaking into small pieces. Remove the cooked eggs from the pan and set aside. 

Reheat the pan until hot. Add a little more oil, then add the shallots, scallion whites, carrots and garlic. Cook, stirring, for about a minute. Add the cooked meat and rice and continue to stir for another few minutes until the rice and meat are hot and begin to brown slightly. 

Add the soy sauce, water chestnuts, scallion greens and peas or edamame, salt and pepper to taste and fry together for another minute or two. 

Garnish with some fresh pea shoots, scallion greens or other micro greens, if available. 

Pass additional soy sauce at the table when serving.

Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with Brown Sugar

SERVES: 10-12

1 3-1/2 to 5 pound pork shoulder (butt) roast
2 whole garlic cloves, sliced or minced (optional)
1/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
1 cup unsweetened apple juice (I didn't have juice so I used 2 fresh apples, peeled and diced) 
1/2 teaspoon salt, and 
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, or to taste

Make small slits all over the roast then insert a slice of garlic into each slit. Alternately, you can mince the garlic and rub it over the meat). Place the roast in a Dutch oven with lid.  I used my enameled cast iron Dutch oven.

Sprinkle the roast on all sides with Worcestershire sauce. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 425 F.

At the end of the hour, spoon any Worcestershire sauce that has accumulated on the bottom of the pot back over the meat. Mix together the brown sugar, black pepper and thyme or oregano and press the brown sugar mixture firmly onto the top and sides of the meat. Pour the apple juice into the bottom of the pot and cover tightly.

Place the roast in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 225 F.

Roast for about 4 to 4-1/2 hours or until the meat is fall-apart tender (cooking time will vary depending on the size of the roast).

Remove the meat to a platter, tent with foil and set aside.  Stir the salt into the pan juices and taste test. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Strain juices and reserve. 

Slice meat as desired and pour strained juices over the top of the meat.  

Note:  This can easily be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated.  Juices can be easily defatted after chilling by scraping congealed fat off the top.  When ready to serve, warm meat in a 350F oven in a covered pot for about 30 minutes, adding the reserved juices.  

Adapted from Genius Kitchen 

19 comments:

  1. Haha - almost lunch time and this sure made my mouth water. I love the brown rice - gives it just a little more chew. I can't imagine how wonderful it would taste with the pork.

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  2. It looks delicious, it's much better to prepare it at home!A warm hug

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    1. I agree, so much better made at home just as we like it :) Thank you, Chiara, and hope you are feeling better. Warm hugs.

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  3. It sounds and looks really delicious with slow roasted pork shoulder!

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  4. Yes Barbara had amazing recipes I remember made some of her desserts!This looks so delicious Susan. xoxox

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  5. I know it's delicious.I can tell.
    It's my Foodie ESP:)
    I sometimes add Szechuan peppercorns now..have you tried those?You stir fry to release the zing..
    My mom even made it..it's a comfort food to me..And your pork in it w/ the apple juice sweetness?:)♥
    Perfect for..Pyeongchang Winter Olympics!

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  6. Very similar to the fried rice I make! And the boys haven't had it for Sunday dinner in a long time... Enjoy the holidays this week Susan:@)

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  7. This is a Pinner Winner! I've been dabbling in some Asian cooking, and this looks so delish and healthy! Thanks you!

    Jane

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  8. Yum, this looks wonderful Susan. I love the idea of roasted pork shoulder(which also sounds amazing)in a stir fry.

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  9. I love a good stir fry Susan - and especially one that is flavored with just a little bit of meat such as this pork. Great breakfast, lunch or dinner!

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  10. I thought the pork looked a little different in the stir fry! YUM!!!

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  11. The pork shoulder sounds great on its own and the rice...well who doesn't like fried rice!

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  12. This sounds like a nice "Sunday in the kitchen" meal for us :-) We love the brown rice!

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  13. Now I'm hungry again :-) This looks wonderful, worthy of any restaurant.
    Amalia
    xo

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  14. We love a good stir fry, especially on those busy weeknights! Have a great week Sue!

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  15. Susan, Evan loves all food with Asian flair and just recently I've gotten brave enough to dabble with those flavors. I know this dish will be a big hit here, looks wonderful!

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I appreciate your comment!