Fried rice holds a special place in my heart. The year after I graduated from college and was living on my own for the first time, it was the first dish I learned to make. I pretty much ate nothing but fried rice for a year. It was fast, easy, convenient and most importantly, cheap!
The problem is that when you order fried rice in restaurants, it’s usually not so healthy. It’s made with white rice and can be loaded with fat and sodium with just a meager amount of vegetables. I wanted to perform a recipe resuscitation and make a healthier version of this Chinese restaurant staple.
For my Quinoa Fried "Rice," I use nutrient-packed quinoa instead of white rice. White rice is refined, meaning it’s had most of its nutrients, including fiber, stripped away in the milling process.
Quinoa, on the other hand, is a whole grain and a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with protein and provides a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Read my post all about the health benefits of quinoa.
Tasty dishes to enjoy with this quinoa
More quinoa recipes
Quinoa Fried "Rice"
Equipment
- Sauté Pan or Wok
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 3 teaspoons safflower, peanut or other neutral-flavored oil, divided
- 2 eggs
- Salt and pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 3 scallions, sliced (whites and greens separated) plus extra for garnish
- 1 ½ cups chopped carrots, broccoli and peas (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (or tamari if gluten-free)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon Sriracha or other hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Place the quinoa in a saucepan with 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cover. Cook 10-15 minutes until done. Cool the quinoa, ideally overnight in the refrigerator.
- Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a wok over medium high heat. Beat the eggs in a bowl with a fork and add them to the pan. Season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until firm. Break the egg up into pieces with a spatula and transfer it to a plate.
- Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in the wok. Add the garlic, ginger and scallion whites and cook until fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Add the vegetables and cook a few minutes, stirring often, until crisp tender. Add the cooled quinoa and stir to combine. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, Sriracha, scallion greens and cooked egg and stir to combine well. Garnish with scallion greens.
Yukti Arora says
so tasty rice recipe i loved it, so keep posting.
Anonymous says
Looks great,but have you any suggestions for an egg-free version for those with dairy allergies? Thanks!
Maha Lakshmi says
Wow! looking so colorful. I like this recipe. Thanks for sharing.