Cleaning Out The Fridge

Warrior Dash is coming up and we need to eat healthier food. I looked in the fridge and there's not much left to cook with... All I could find was tofu, tomatoes, asparagus, onions, and eggs. Well we got our carb and protein... now lets mix em up!



Start with rice... Since it takes about 30-50 minutes to cook a batch of rice with the rice cooker, you should make rice first!

I've decided to experiment with brown rice mixed with multi-grains!  Multi-grains are awesome! it contains vitamins and minerals. And it also help us prevent things like heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 1/2 cup multi grains

Mix the rice and grains together in a rice cooker, add 2 cups of water and press the "cook" button.

If you don't know how to use a rice cooker you can find the instructions here.

Step 1 Prep

• 2 tomatoes, cut them up like orange slices
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 pack of tofu, cut into 1-2 inch cubes
• 1 bundle of asparagus, chopped into little pieces
• 2 eggs, beat evenly in a separate bowl
• 11/2 teaspoon of salt (add more to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil (for the egg)
• 1 tablespoon canola oil (for the vegetables)
• 1 cup of water or chicken broth

Step 2 Cook The Eggs

For this dish you have to cook the veggies and eggs separately, then mixed them together later.

Place a deep skillet/pan on the stove and turn on high heat.  Pour the canola oil into the pan, wait about 1-2 minutes or until the oil is hot.  Then you can slowly pour the beat eggs into the pan... Let it sit for about 30 secs, scramble the egg roughly... once it's solidified then you can pour the eggs into a separate container.

Step 3 Stir Fry The Veggies

Place the same pan back on the stove and turn on the high heat.  Pour the canola oil into the pan, wait about 1-2 minutes or until the oil is hot.  Start with onions and asparagus, let it sit in the pan for about 1 minute then you mix in the tomatoes and about 1/2 teaspoon of salt together.  Cover the pan and let everything steam for about 1-2 minutes.



Remove the lid and pour in about 1 cup of water or broth, I used water in this case... to make it more vegetarian :)  let it come to a boil... reduce the heat to medium then cover again... for another 1-2 minutes

Remove the lid again, add the scrambled eggs and the tofu and the rest of the salt.  stir everything up gently... cover for another minute... remember in medium heat.



You are almost done! now remove the lid and add the black pepper... stir one last time and DONE !!!

Step 4 Eat

Get a plate, scoop in some rice, and pour the mix veggies and tofu on top of the rice... now EAT!





The left over food came with me to work the next day :) this makes a great lunch too!

Galactic Potluck feat. Fried Rice From Mars

About a week ago... My friend Yvonne invited us to her Galactic Potluck party in Mt. Washington.  The whole house was lit blue inside and out!  Check out some of the photos in the slideshow below :)



For this themed potluck,  I decided to make a dish called Fried Rice From Mars.  Its a safe choice, it's a crowd pleaser, it's very delicious,  and It's easy to make!  Oh and it's also vegetarian friendly!

Step 1 - Prep the Ingredients

• 1 cup of cooked rice!  duh (click the link to learn how to cook rice)
• 2 tablespoon of canola oil or any cooking oil. (one tbsp. is for fried eggs, one tbsp. is for fried rice, don't worry, I'll explain).
• 2 eggs
• 5 mushrooms, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can of whole kernel corn, drain it!
• 2 slices of diced/cubed vegan soy fish steak (you can find them at Advanced Nutrition Center).  You can also substitute the soy fish with real meat like, chicken, beef or pork.
• 1 teaspoons of salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 2 tablespoons of ketchup
• 1 small cucumber sliced into string form, its going to be used as a garnish (use a mandoline slicer, this is exactly what I use, its not very expensive, I totally suggest this kitchen tool for everyone!)

Step 2 - Pre Fry the Eggs

Pour one tablespoon of the cooking oil into a deep pan on high heat. Once the oil is hot (place your hand 2 inches above the oil to feel the heat) crack the two eggs in the hot oil.  Remember, the oil is hot, so don't burn yourself!  Cook the eggs over easy style (about 1-2 mins on each side).  When you are done cooking the eggs, go ahead and place the eggs on the top of the cooked rice, drizzle some soy paste or soy sauce on top of the egg (about 1-2 teaspoon) let it rest.  Now, back to the pan.



Step 3 - Golden Brown

Without cleaning, pour the other tablespoon of cooking oil into the pan... and wait till the oil is hot (remember to keep the flame high).  Once the oil is hot again, drop in the diced vegan soy fish (or alternative meat - cut the meat small so it cooks faster) into the pan.  Cook the soy fish till it's golden brown on each side, you want to create that crunchy texture. (about 2 mins on each side)



Step 4 - Add the Rest, and Done!

Pour in the vegetables!  diced red bell pepper, sliced mushrooms and the drained can corn.  Saute  throughly for about 2 more mins... Then you add the already cooked eggs and the rice into the pan, top it with ketchup, salt and pepper!  Now you stir more, make sure you break up the eggs into little pieces.  Stir for about 2-3 more minutes, garnish it with the cucumber strings... and You're done!







There are more photos of ingredients in this slideshow! Click the play button!


Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this recipe!  eatwithjoe@gmail.com

My first Fried Rice

In Memory of Grandma Chang

I've always wanted to be a chef growing up, but my parents would never let me hang out in the kitchen.  When I actually was allowed into the kitchen, I'd be doing dishes... FML.

Grandma Chang gave us this rice cooker as a house warming present a few years ago...  When I looked at the little green thing, I was inspired to make a recipe posting on my blog.  I wanted to share my very first fried rice recipe with all my friends.



Egg and ginger fried rice was one of my favorites growing up.  The recipe came from Grandma Chang.  I've made several attempts to convince my mom and grandma to teach me how to make this fried rice... but they would tell me to leave the kitchen everytime.  One morning, I guess Grandma Chang was in a good mood and felt like sharing her recipe... She finally agreed to teach me the secret to her egg and ginger fried rice!

Step 1 - Cook Rice

Get a rice cooker.  Here is one if you are interested in buying one.  The rice cooker does't have to be expensive, you don't need to get a fancy one.  As a matter of fact... get the cheapest rice cooker out there!

Buy good rice!  This is my favorite rice.  Nishiki Rice  (they come in white and brown)  Do not buy Uncle Ben's Rice!


If you are cooking for 2 people, all you need is one cup of rice.  Measure the rice and pour the rice into the pot inside rice cooker.  wash and drain 3 times in cold water.  When draining, you don't need to use a strainer, just slowly pour out the water.  When you are done washing the rice, add the correct measure of water in the rice.

here is a simple chart of rice to water ratio
1 cup of white rice - 1 cup of water
1 cup of brown rice - 2 cups of water (brown rice acquires the double amount of water)
Note: you can use any size cup, even a coffee mug works! As long as the rice to water ratio is accurate.

Once the rice and water mixture is in the rice cooker... press "cook"


Remember it usually takes the rice cooker 1-2 hours to cook the rice, so don't start on the prepping till the rice is done... Sometimes I actually prefer leftover / a day old rice to make fried rice!

Step 2 - Prep the Ingredients

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
• 2 eggs
• 11/2 teaspoons of salt

You can grate the ginger with or without the skin.  If you want to skin the ginger, the best and easiest way to do it is to use a silver spoon.   Scrape the side of the ginger with the spoon till it's totally naked!




Step 3 - Start Cooking

Pour sesame oil in a nice deep pan or a wok on high heat.  Once the oil is hot (place your hand 2 inches above the oil to feel the heat) crack the two eggs in the hot oil.  Remember, the oil is hot, so don't burn yourself!



Scramble the eggs in the pan right away. Once the scrambled eggs are slightly golden, pour in the cooked rice, salt and the grated ginger. Mix them thoroughly for about 2 minutes in the hot pan, drizzle a little more sesame oil for more flavor if you want. Bada bing bada boom! Egg and ginger fried rice! You can pour the fried rice back in the rice cooker to keep it warm if you want... just remember to press the "Keep Warm" button :)



Sometimes I would cook the rice before I head to bed... Just so I can make rice balls the next morning! To make rice balls, spread the fried rice on a nice sheet of plastic wraps and shape the rice into balls!





Give it a try! Let me know if you like the recipe or not :)