Golden Egg Fried Rice
A go-to recipe
Egg fried rice is undeniably one of the most satisfying and comforting meals to cook and eat. It’s perfect for utilizing leftovers because it allows you to improvise with pantry ingredients and whatever you have in the fridge. Not to mention, it is also quick to make and hard to mess up.
This recipe uses annatto powder, which gives the rice a golden hue and mild peppery flavor. Additionally, I shred extra-firm tofu and bake it with hoisin sauce and sesame oil until it turns golden brown and crispy, adding a layer of sweetness and nuttiness to the dish. Although using the oven may seem like extra work, the rice, vegetables, and eggs will be ready at the same time as the tofu comes out of the oven.
Ingredients
4 cups cooked leftover jasmine rice
4 large eggs
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 shallot, chopped
1 cup frozen vegetables
Half a block (175g) extra-firm tofu
2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil, plus more as needed
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 packet (10g) annatto powder
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
Beat the eggs and season with salt. Pre-heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the tofu dry with a paper towel and squeeze any excess liquid out over the sink. Grate the tofu into shreds, then transfer it onto a lined sheet pan. Add a tablespoon of sesame oil, hoisin sauce, a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste, then toss everything together by hand. Spread the tofu evenly across the pan, then bake it in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Heat a large wok or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high, then add a tablespoon of sesame oil and let it heat up for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the beaten egg and scramble for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the cooked eggs to a bowl.
Add a tablespoon of sesame oil to the same wok, then saute the garlic and shallots together for 2 minutes. Add the frozen vegetables, season them with salt, then saute everything together for another 2 minutes.
Break the rice apart using your hands and about a quarter cup of water, then add it to the wok. Season with salt, then stir everything together. Add the soy sauce and annatto powder, then mix it all together until the seasonings are evenly dispersed. Remove the shredded tofu from the oven, then add it to the fried rice and stir until incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, then remove from heat and serve with sesame seeds on top.
Kitchen Tours
This Friday’s kitchen tour features Austin-based pop-up chef Gabby Phi. Consider becoming a paid subscriber if you don’t want to miss it.
Consumption Report
One of my favorite things I watched last week was this conversation between Timothée Chalamet and Martin Scorsese.
I also went to my favorite bakery in Jordan Village, RPM Bakehouse.
