While coffee may be the morning salvation for many of you here, it’s a whole different ordeal for us, Filipinos.
If you’re fumbling around for your morning brew in a pre-caffeinated haze, I’m digging into a helping of sinangag (our version of leftover fried rice), eggs, and tapa (fried marinated pork or beef).
The coffee comes as a second thought.
In fact, black coffee here? It goes into the rice.
Yup. We drizzle it in our fried rice. Then there’s a separate coffee solely for drinking.
It’s what my grandmother likes to call “The Breakfast of Champions.” If it’s up to her and my mom, I wouldn’t be allowed to ever leave the house without having a “proper” breakfast.
Sounds excessive?
Not in the Philippines. This is a revered breakfast tradition that just makes sense for us.
Try this out and you might forever say goodbye to a boring bowl of cereal.
But enough about that.
Here’s what to do with leftover fried rice:
What To Do With Leftover Fried Rice: The Predicament
Is it just me or do you also make too much fried rice without properly considering if you’re capable of eating it all?
At this point, I’m not even surprised with the intimidating amount of leftovers I’m looking at.
And what’s a rice-loving human to do?
Be creative enough to give those leftover fried rice a “day after twist!”
Join me in getting myself out of this leftover conundrum I deliberately put myself into 😁
You wouldn’t leave me here alone with a mountain-high leftover fried rice, now, would you?!
Besides, if you ever find yourself in the same situation, you’ll know what to do already.
It’s a win-win solution.
Mom’s Solution: Heat of the Moment
“Hey mom, what to do with the leftover fried rice?”
My mom has this rule when it comes to leftovers.
Put it in a sealed container. Shove it in the back of the fridge for later consumption.
Ideal. Practical. Prudent.
But not at all the case when days go by and I still see it’s waiting in the back of the fridge!
I love my mom a lot. But it just ingrates me when this happens.
Maybe it’s an Asian mom thing? To shove every leftover food in the fridge.
Whenever I tell her not to, she gets mad at me because I’m “wasting food and other people have nothing to eat.” So I end up letting her do it.
Fast-forward to three days later…
And I get to tell her “I told you so” when she ends up throwing it anyway.
For the love of all that is holy and mighty, do not do this! You folks are not my mom so I won’t be so lenient 😉
Dad’s Solution: Property of Kevin
We have this guard dog back in my childhood home. I may be the youngest, but I truly think my dad dethroned me and gave it to Kevin.
If I ask him what to do with leftover fried rice, his only answer would be to give it to Kevin.
That’s it. Plain and simple. No arguments.
Hi dad!
Sister’s Solution: Sisterly Duties
If I ask my sister what to do with leftover rice that we didn’t finish together, well, let’s just say her way isn’t my favorite.
Because her solution would be to force feed it to me by daring me to eat it.
“I bet you a hundred that you can’t eat this leftover fried rice.”
Not one to be one up by my older sister, I almost always do it.
Translation? Me being a sucker (aka the youngest). I’d eat it up.
So I guess the problem lies with me, huh?
My Solution: Leftover Fried Rice Makeover
I have two entries on what to do with leftover fried rice and they’re all simple recipes that I think you’d appreciate.
Breakfast Scramble
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Them being my mom and grandmother.
Here’s one of the many spins they do with leftover fried rice:
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover fried rice
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- 2 sliced green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sriracha or hot sauce (can be optional)
Equipment
- Non-stick skillet
- Spatula
- Fork
- Spatula
Step-by-Step:
- Heat the butter or oil in the skillet over medium heat.
- Crack the eggs in a bowl and beat them lightly with the fork while the butter heats.
- Pour the scrambled eggs into the skillet and stir until only partly cooked.
- Add in the leftover fried rice along with the green onions.
- Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Make sure to stir constantly to remove clumps.
- Remove from heat and add the salt and pepper to your liking.
- Drizzle with sriracha if you feel like spicing up your day early on.
Heartier Patties
As someone who’s always on the go and doesn’t have much time to spend on the kitchen on a daily basis, I love me some instant fried food.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of leftover fried rice
- 1 beaten egg
- ½ cup of breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil
- Sweet chili sauce
Equipment
- Skillet
- Spatula
- 3 bowls
- Plate with paper towel
Step-by-Step:
- Form the leftover fried rice into half inch patties.
- Arrange 3 bowl stations filled with flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs. Then dip the patties in each station, respectively.
- Heat about ¼ inch of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Fry the breaded patties for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer the patties into a plate with a paper towel to remove the excess oil.
- Serve with the sweet chili sauce. Feel free to try other sauces, too.
The Winning Leftover Fried Rice Solution
Repurposing leftover fried rice into something mouthwatering doesn’t only open you to this world of exciting flavors and dishes, but it also helps you reduce food waste.
A lesson that is so ingrained in me, thanks to my family.
And now, a lesson I pass on to you.
So when you find yourself with leftover fried rice, try out my solution, and enjoy the result, preferably with your family.
Because as much as my family gives each other a hard time, there’s really nothing quite like enjoying a meal together.
Can’t wait to be back home!
Until then, I’ll enjoy this leftover fried rice with you, my lovely foodies…
Happy eating!
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