Quick and Super Easy Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng)

Super-duper easy yet delicious fried rice, known as nasi goreng in Indonesian. This Indonesian-style nasi goreng recipe is a great one to have for your busy week because it is quick to make. Savory and a tad bit sweet with a little bit of charred flavor, this fried rice or nasi goreng is too good to pass. I kid you not, but whenever I make this fried rice, my kids will always ask for second.

The key to that charred flavor is to cook the fried rice under high heat. However, you have to cook and stir it fast else your rice will get burned. So, in order to avoid burning it fast, have all the ingredients ready before you start cooking and place them within reach. So, all you need to do, once the heat is on, is only to put them into the pan and just stir and mix. Sounds very easy and quick, right?

Especially, during the stay-at-home order period for covid-19 lockdown, this recipe is very handy because you basically can use whatever meat or protein and vegetables that you have in your refrigerator. That way, you do not need to go an extra mile to the grocery store JUST to get that shrimp, or chicken, or beef or tofu – you get the idea. I am using a combination of pork and frozen vegetables because those are what I have available in my fridge. Give this recipe a try and let me know what combination you use when making this fried rice, won’t you?

Tools I use:

• Deep sauté pan – Non-stick deep saute pan for any kind of cooking needs that I really love to use. Evenly heated, easy cleaning and very durable.

Tip: You can substitute the pork with chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu. The same goes with the vegetables, you can use corn, carrot, peas, cabbage and so on – It is better to use fresh vegetable, but I only have the frozen one handy. Also, prepare all the ingredients ahead of time, because you will cook in high heat to get the char flavor, so it’s better to have everything handy.

Ingredient:

• ½ lb pork shoulder – cut into bite-sized
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 plates steamed rice
• 2 eggs – beaten
• 1 medium-sized shallot – chopped
• 2 cloves garlic – minced
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Lettuce and cucumber to garnish (optional)

Direction:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a deep sauté pan under medium-high heat. Once heated, add the beaten egg to the pan. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Turn up the heat to high heat. Add another one tablespoon of olive oil. Once heated, add the bite-sized pork, garlic and shallot. Cook until it is fragrant and until the pork is cooked well – about 3-5 minutes.
• Then add the frozen vegetables, steamed rice, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce and pepper.
• Stir all of them until they are all mixed thoroughly. You can add more soy sauce if you want it saltier.
• Stir and cook for about 5 minutes or so. Then, turn off the heat, add the cooked egg and give a good stir.
• Garnish, serve and enjoy while it’s still warm.