Lazy Pork Fried Rice

As pure chaos ensued, my hopes of completing the Mexican Meat Pockets slowly faded away. Eros was wrapped tightly to my chest, blaring his little baby head off in response to his ear infection and Ethan was scaling the bookshelf with the aid of a Playschool table (for the third time after being told not to). I stood there, yawning and shaking my head in disbelief at Ethan's persistence to try and pull down the entire bookshelf with the 8th book he had to have in the last 5 minutes. That's when it hit me; The meat pockets were never getting done.

After taking Ethan upstairs to his room for time out, I rushed back down to begin dinner, with screaming baby in toe. So the meat pockets were out.. What else is there to make? The fridge was near bare and not an instant meal to be found in the house. I was inspired by the single item on the bottom shelf: a pound of ground pork. Lazy Pork Fried Rice it is.

Somewhere between getting the rice started and trying to figure out what dessert would be, Eros had fallen into a drool-dripping baby coma. The wrap and my shirt were soaked. This was a definite sign of fun times ahead.

After transferring Eros from wrap to couch, I browned the meat, microwaved the veggies, and when the rice was done, pieced it all together. Went to get Ethan for dinner and apparently he didn't like time out in his room, so he thrashed around on my bed, destroying the piles of freshly folded laundry and fell asleep amongst them. Guess he wasn't hungry.

As most people know, I'm big dessert buff. We have dessert after dinner at least three times a week. Tonight's dessert was simple, yet amazing. I had previously made Devil's Food cupcakes and had a few left over as a result of not enough frosting. Since I've been having an hankering for s'mores, I unwrapped a cupcake, placed it on a graham cracker, topped it with whip-cream and another graham cracker and VIOLA! Marshmallowless Cake S'mores (which were amazingly delicious and messy).


So, without further ado, I present to you my easy-as-hell recipe:

Lazy Pork Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 cups uncooked white rice
• 5 cups of water (divided into 4 cups & 1 cup)
• 2 cups frozen mixed veggies
• 1 cup shredded Chinese cabbage (optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
• Sesame Oil
• Soy Sauce

STEP 1 - RICE: I recommend a rice cooker, as it makes the best flawless white rice and is incredibly easy. If you don't have one, then use a medium pot. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil with 1/2 tsp salt (optional). Add 2 cups uncooked rice to the boiling water, stir once, and cover pot. When the water returns to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for 20 minutes.

STEP 2 - PORK: While the rice is simmering, heat sesame oil (I don't measure, but if I had to guess I'd say 1 tBsp) in a frying pan. Add the ground pork and begin to brown. When the pork looks as if it's about done, drizzle soy sauce (I'm guessing about 1-2 tBsp) across the top. If you're using the shredded cabbage, add it now. Continue to brown til thoroughly mixed and pork completely browned (cabbage should be soft when done). Do not drain. The "juice" with the meat will flavor the rice.

STEP 3 - VEGGIES: Place 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables in a microwave safe bowl, with 1 cup of water. Microwave for 4 minutes, then drain.

STEP 4 - MIXING: When the rice is done, place into a large bowl, add veggies, then add meat. Stir well. If it seems a little dry, try adding little bits of soy sauce til it reaches your preference.



This is such an easy meal, especially with a rice cooker, and it's delicious too.


Well, I thought it was delicious. Ellexa decided Ethan's shoe was a better meal option. *sigh*

Hope you enjoy the Lazy Pork Fried Rice! Don't forget to try out the Marshmallowless Cake S'Mores as well. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a 35lb kid to lug to his room and laundry to re-fold.