Lucky for my current living situation (which translates to nothing other than: living with my Mum), unemployment results in me exploring due extreme boredom. To other people, this would mean a park, a river. To me, this means the Chinese grocers. Words cannot express the happiness I feel when discussing which brand of tofu or rice is better than others with the 70 year old Aunty who is running the show. This is my new found weakness…Seniors and conversations about Asian produce.
My lord I need a job.
Easy Tom Yum Fried Rice
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 cups of rice
150g of chopped lap cheong – see note
3 cloves of garlic, sliced
4 shallots, peeled and sliced
Small knob of ginger, finely chopped
2tbs tom yum paste
2 chicken breasts, sliced finely
Handful of unsalted peanuts
Handful of chopped Chinese greens
1tbs kecap manis
Handful of beansprouts & coriander
Limes and fried onion to serve
Method
Start by cooking your rice as per the packet instructions then heat up a pan with a little oil. Add the lap cheong and fry for a few minutes over a high heat then remove from the pan and leave aside.
Reduce to a low heat and add the shallots, garlic and ginger to the pan. Saute for 5 minutes then add the tom yum paste. Stir through for a further 5 minutes.
By now your rice should be cooked so using a fork, stir it through for a few minutes to dry it out a bit, then leave it uncovered.
Add the chicken to the tom yum mixture then once cooked through, the lap cheong, peanuts and Chinese greens. Continue to cook through over a high heat then add the rice, kecap manis, coriander and beansprouts. That’s it! Serve with wedges of lime and fried onions.
Kitchen notes...
Lap Cheong is dried Chinese pork sausage and can be found in any Asian grocer (in the pantry section). If you’re not a fan, just leave out.