Garlic Scape Fried Rice: The Ultimate Fridge Clean-Out Meal!
Kitchen Hack Alert! Transform Your Leftovers into a Gourmet Fried Rice with Garlic Scapes!
Time to tackle that fridge and freezer! There’s no better way to use up odds and ends than a delicious fried rice. This recipe is simple to make and incredibly satisfying. I’ve used up some garlic scapes from my freezer to create a unique and flavorful fried rice. And guess what? I’m sharing my secret tip to make your fried rice absolutely next-level! Keep reading to find out!
Ingredients
- Garlic scapes (a handful)
- Onion (1/4, finely chopped)
- Ham (diced)
- Shrimp (thawed, if frozen)
- Egg (1)
- Instant rice (1 pack, or leftover cold rice)
- Oyster sauce (1 Tbsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all your ingredients for the fried rice. Gather any leftover vegetables, ham, or seafood from your fridge and freezer. Chop everything into small, bite-sized pieces that will mix well into the rice. Wash and finely chop the garlic scapes.
Step 2
The secret to a flavorful fried rice? Aromatic scallion oil! Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over low heat. Add the chopped scallions and fry them slowly until they become fragrant and lightly golden. This process infuses the oil with a wonderful aroma.
Step 3
Once the scallion oil is ready, add all your chopped ingredients (garlic scapes, onion, ham, shrimp, etc.) to the pan at once. Stir-fry over high heat quickly to cook everything through. Be careful not to let ingredients spill out of the pan!
Step 4
Push the ingredients to one side of the pan to create a space. Crack the egg into the empty space and scramble it. Cook the egg separately without mixing it with the other ingredients – this is key to perfect texture!
Step 5
Now, add the rice to the pan. I’m using instant rice for convenience, but leftover cold rice works perfectly too! The most important thing is to use rice that is not piping hot; slightly cooled rice will prevent clumping and result in fluffier fried rice.
Step 6
Add the oyster sauce to enhance the umami flavor. Oyster sauce is an essential condiment for delicious fried rice! Add 1 tablespoon and stir-fry to combine it evenly with the rice and other ingredients.
Step 7
And now for the secret ingredient that elevates this fried rice: ‘fish sauce’ (멸치액젓)! You might be wondering if fish sauce belongs in fried rice. Absolutely! It adds a surprisingly deep and savory umami that makes the fried rice taste incredibly complex and delicious. Add 1 teaspoon of fish sauce and stir-fry everything together one last time. Be mindful of the amount, as too much can make the dish too salty.
Step 8
And there you have it – a fantastic garlic scape fried rice made with ingredients from your fridge and freezer! If you haven’t tried adding fish sauce to your fried rice before, I highly recommend it. Just remember to adjust the amount to your taste, especially if you’re new to using it. For more detailed instructions and cooking tips, click the YouTube link above. Don’t forget to subscribe and give it a thumbs up!
