Make a Meal With Leftover Rice

Supper's ready in about 30 minutes with this Southern-style fried rice.

Wondering what to do with last night's cooked rice? We found a tasty solution: a quick-and-easy fried rice with juicy ham, sautéed vegetables, and a spicy kick. If you don't have enough leftover rice, you can substitute quick-cooking rice instead-simply prepare and stir-fry other ingredients while the rice bags boil. We bet you won't have any leftovers this time.

HAM FRIED RICE

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

PREP: 15 MIN., COOK: 20 MIN.

You can also use chicken or shrimp in this flavorful dish or any combination you may have on hand.

3 bacon slices

1 ½ cups chopped cooked ham

1 red or green bell pepper, chopped

½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms

3 green onions, chopped

1 celery rib, chopped

1 large garlic clove, minced

½ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

3 ½ cups cooked rice*

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

¼ cup soy sauce

COOK bacon slices in a large skillet or wok at medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon slices, and drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon, and set aside.

ADD chopped ham to hot drippings in skillet, and stir-fry 3 minutes or until ham is lightly browned. Add bell pepper and next 5 ingredients, and stir-fry 5 minutes. Add rice, and stir-fry 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

PUSH rice mixture to sides of skillet, forming a well in center. Pour eggs into well, and cook, stirring occasionally, until eggs are set. Stir rice mixture into eggs; stir in soy sauce and crumbled bacon. Spoon into serving bowls. VICKI LONG

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

*2 (3.5-ounce) bags quick-cooking long-grain rice, cooked, may be substituted for leftover rice.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation May 2004
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