Chicken fried rice is healthy, easy and goes a long way. Toss in some stir fry and you have a meal! Part of the reason I went with stir fry was that Sprouts had bell pepper for $.18 a piece! Yeah. Unheard of. And they were fresh & crisp! Shoot, that’s a no brainer. Buy ’em up and find something to do with them. Tonight, it’s Chicken Fried Rice and Srirachi Beef Stir Fry!
Chicken Fried Rice:
Chicken Tenders (5 in the package) – $1.98
1 1/2 cup UNCOOKED rice – $.60
2 eggs – $.35
3 Tbsp Soy Sauce – $.45
1 Tbsp Worcester Sauce – $.20
1 large Carrot – $.20
2 celery stalks – $.45
1 bunch green onion – $.50
2 handfuls bean sprouts – $.75
1 tsp garlic powder – pantry
1 tsp pepper – pantry
2 Tbsp Canola Oil – pantryCOST: $5.48
Cut chicken into small chunks and add 2 Tbsp soy, worcester sauce and garlic and set aside. Slice and dice carrot, celery and green onion. How fine or chunky is your preference. Rinse bean sprouts and set all veggies aside in separate bowl.
Next, beat eggs with fork and scramble in separate pan. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Now! The fun begins. Get your wok hot! Very good, but cheap woks can be found at IKEA. Add oil. Immediately toss in chicken and cook about 1/2 way, 3-5 mins. Add celery and carrots and mix in pan. Continue frying fast. Make a well in the bottom of wok and add final Tbsp of oil. Then add COOKED rice and top with remaining soy sauce.
After mixing and frying for a few minutes, add in bean sprouts and green onion. Mix again. Finally, add cooked egg. Toss and serve!
Rice (Perfect, every time. PROMISE):
Rice is rice. I cook it all the same, although my staple is Calrose. If you prefer long grain. Go for it! Anyway, my tried and true method works. Trust me!
Pour rice into pot. Make sure your pot has a good lid. Add water to pot until it’s above the rice, precisely to your first finger tip knuckle line. Cover and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to slow simmer. Cook 20 mins and leave covered. DO NOT LIFT LID BEFORE 20 MINS!
For fried rice, it’s best if your rice is cooked ahead of time. I like day old rice, if possible, but it’s not necessary.
Beef Stir Fry:This is very easy, very healthy and very cheap, especially if you can get a good deal on bell pepper.
1 package stew meat (approx 3/4 lbs) – $2.09
2 red bell pepper – .36
1 green bell pepper – .25
1/2 onion – .25
3 Tbsp Soy Sauce – $.45
1 Tbsp Worcester Sauce – $.20
1 Tbsp Teriyaki Sauce – $.30
1 tsp garlic powder – pantry
1 tsp pepper – pantry
2 Tbsp Canola Oil – pantry
1 Tbsp Srirachi (if you like spicy) – $.20COST: $3.90
Marinade beef in 1/2 can of beer (you can omit, if you choose), worcester sauce, garlic, soy and teriyaki. You should slice the chunks of stew meat in half before marinating and try to give it at least 1 hour to suck up all the flavor. Slice bell pepper and onion, sprinkle with a little salt and set aside.
When ready, heat wok or pan to medium high temp. Add oil and then marinated beef. Stir and fry on medium high for about 4 mins, then add peppers and onions. Flash fry for 3-5 more mins and add Srirachi sauce. Toss and serve!
Let me just say, this meal goes a LONG way. It will easily serve 6. If you find a good deal on bell pepper, this is perfect! Pair this meal with a cold Tsingtao or Kirin, and wow!
GRAND TOTAL: $9.58
