Christmas Fried Rice with Leftover Ham
Christmas Fried Rice has turn into one among my favourite straightforward vacation dishes. It’s easy, fast, and such a enjoyable approach to make use of up leftover ham and chilly rice. The purple and inexperienced veggies make it look festive with none further effort, and the entire thing cooks in a single skillet.
What I really like most is how customizable it’s. You’ll be able to toss in no matter you could have readily available, and it nonetheless feels particular sufficient for the season. It’s a comfortable, colourful aspect dish that pairs nicely with all the vacation flavors.
Stacie’s be aware
Yearly after Christmas, my fridge turns into a mixture of half-used substances and containers of leftovers, particularly ham. On Boxing Day, when nobody needs one other spherical of vacation plates, I often spot these further ham slices and a bowl of chilly rice ready for use. Hiya, Christmas Fried Rice! It’s straightforward to make and nonetheless feels slightly festive.
What I really like is how shortly it turns these leftovers into one thing new. A couple of veggies, a fast stir within the skillet, and instantly yesterday’s ham turns into a colourful, cozy meal everyone seems to be joyful to dig into. It’s turn into slightly custom round right here: the dish we make as soon as the massive celebration quiets down and we’re prepared for one thing easy and satisfying.
Components
The complete printable recipe card with measurements and directions is discovered on the backside of the put up.
- Unsalted butter: Provides you management over the seasoning so the dish doesn’t get too salty as soon as the soy sauce goes in.
- Candy onion: Finely chopping it helps it soften shortly and mix into the rice with out overpowering the opposite flavors.
- Crimson bell pepper: Cube it small so it cooks shortly and mixes evenly into the rice.
- Inexperienced bell pepper: Select a agency one for the very best texture and slice it the identical measurement because the purple pepper for even cooking.
- Garlic: Mince it recent with a garlic press and add it simply earlier than the ham so it doesn’t burn.
- Cooked ham: Leftover vacation ham is ideal for this recipe.
- Frozen peas: No must thaw them first; they’ll heat up shortly within the pan.
- Dried cranberries: Deliver slightly sweetness and a vivid burst of purple to each chunk.
- Eggs: Scramble them proper within the pan to maintain cleanup straightforward.
- Cooked rice: Chilly or leftover rice works finest and gained’t get mushy.
- Soy sauce: Add it slightly at a time so you’ll be able to management the saltiness and hold the rice from getting too darkish.
- Sesame oil: Use only a tiny splash on the finish since slightly goes a great distance.
- Floor nutmeg: Only a pinch provides it a heat vacation twist.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to style for the reason that ham and soy sauce have a number of salt already.
- Inexperienced onions: Sprinkle on high for a recent end and a little bit of crunch.
The right way to Make Christmas Fried Rice
- Step One: Soften butter in a big skillet or wok over on the range over medium warmth. Add onion, purple pepper, and inexperienced pepper, and sauté till softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and prepare dinner for 30 seconds.
- Step Two: Stir in diced ham, peas, and dried cranberries. Prepare dinner till warmed by means of, about 4 minutes.
- Step Three: Push the whole lot to at least one aspect of the pan. Pour eggs into the empty house and scramble till simply set. Stir them again into the combination.
- Step 4: Add rice, breaking apart any clumps. Stir-fry over medium-high warmth till the whole lot is scorching.
- Step 5: Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of nutmeg. Toss to coat evenly. Style and alter with salt and pepper.
- Step Six: Garnish with sliced inexperienced onions. Serve heat.
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the ham: Use leftover turkey, hen, bacon, and even cooked sausage if that’s what you could have readily available.
- Attempt totally different veggies: Corn, carrots, celery, mushrooms, or inexperienced beans all work nicely and assist clear out the fridge after the vacations.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the ham and add further veggies or stir in cubed tofu for protein.
- Change up the flavour: Add a splash of oyster sauce for richness or a little bit of chili powder for warmth.
- Use no matter rice you could have: Jasmine, basmati, brown rice, and even cauliflower rice can be utilized.
- Increase the vacation vibe: Stir in chopped roasted Brussels sprouts or sprinkle in further dried cranberries earlier than serving.
- Egg-free model: Pass over the eggs solely or swap in a handful of shelled edamame for further colour and protein.
Storage Directions
- Fridge: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water to maintain the rice from drying out.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for as much as 2 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, then heat it up in a skillet for the very best texture.
- Make Forward: This dish reheats nicely, so you may make it earlier within the day and hold it lined within the fridge. Reheat simply earlier than serving.
Recipe Ideas and Methods
- Have all of your substances prepped earlier than you begin for the reason that cooking strikes shortly as soon as the rice hits the pan.
- Use chilly rice should you can. It fries up higher and retains its texture.
- Push the veggies to the aspect and scramble the eggs in the identical pan to maintain cleanup straightforward.
- Style earlier than including further salt as a result of the ham and soy sauce typically present sufficient.
- Let the rice sit for a minute or two within the scorching pan with out stirring to get slightly little bit of that traditional fried rice crisp.
Christmas Recipes
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Christmas Fried Rice
Make this festive Christmas Fried Rice with leftover ham, colourful veggies, and chilly rice for a fast, straightforward vacation aspect dish, prepared in 25 minutes.
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Soften butter in a big skillet or wok over medium warmth. Add onion, purple pepper and inexperienced pepper and sauté till softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and prepare dinner for 30 seconds.
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Stir in diced ham, peas, and dried cranberries. Prepare dinner till warmed by means of, about 4 minutes.
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Push the whole lot to at least one aspect of the pan. Pour eggs into the empty house and scramble till simply set. Stir them again into the combination.
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Add rice, breaking apart any clumps. Stir-fry over medium-high warmth till the whole lot is scorching.
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Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of nutmeg. Toss to coat evenly. Style and alter with salt and pepper.
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Garnish with sliced inexperienced onions. Serve heat.
- Make it further purple + inexperienced: Garnish with chopped recent parsley and further cranberries earlier than serving.
- Vacation twist: Stir in a handful of diced roasted Brussels sprouts in case you have them leftover.
Energy: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 18g | Fats: 16g | Saturated Fats: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 6g | Trans Fats: 0.2g | Ldl cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1446mg | Potassium: 380mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1907IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 3mg
The data proven is an estimate offered by an internet diet calculator. It shouldn’t be thought-about an alternative choice to knowledgeable nutritionist’s recommendation.
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