Update: Picture for Sweetness and Lightning/Recipe

     As you know, it has become my mission to populate this blog with pictures. All the pictures! Enough pictures for each post to have it's own picture. Well, the other day I came a step closer to my goal. I got a picture for the Sweetness and Lightning first impression (the review is soon to come!). Here it is in all it's glory:

     Also, here is a link to the first impression, incase your curiosity is piqued.

     As a bonus tidbit, here is the recipe for the dish I made and photographed for the first impression:

Fun Fact: The manga of Sweetness and Lightning includes the recipes for the dishes the characters make. So, in keeping with that spirit I decided to include my own recipe.

Fried Rice

Fried rice is a wonderful catch-all recipe to use up old leftovers or invigorate day-old Chinese take-out. So search the fridge and make some magic!

Ingredients:

- various vegetables, chopped (whatever you want to go into your rice)

- rice (this can be fresh rice, frozen, or rice you stuck in the fridge two days ago)

- meat (this is where the leftovers come in!)

- various seasonings (to taste)

- olive oil or butter (something to cook with)

- large/medium skillet

1. Chop your vegetables. -> these are the ones that haven't been cooked yet. If you have leftover veggies you want to add that are already cooked, they will be added later.

     - Some of my favorites include carrots, cabbage, celery, and onion, but it can change depending on what you prefer and what you have on hand. 

     - Size doesn't matter, however, smaller pieces will cook faster.

     - The amount of veggies depends on how much rice you have and how many people you are going to be serving. You kind of have to eyeball it, but a full soup bowl of chopped vegetables is a good place to start.

2. Begin cooking!

     - Warm up your skillet before adding the olive oil/butter. I prefer olive oil, but butter works just as well. Let your butter melt and tilt the skillet so it coats the pan. Same with the olive oil.

     - Now you are ready to add the veggies! If you have any crushed fresh garlic add it with the vegetables.

3. Cook the vegetables.

     - This is the hard part. When your vegetables are tender or have char marks they should be done. If you like your veggies with a bit of crunch, then don't cook them as long.

4. Add the rice.

     - I like to add a little soy sauce or more olive oil at this point to get things sizzling! Don't get too excited though, a little goes a long way.

5. Add any leftover vegetables.

     - These have already been cooked, so we just need to let them warm up.

6. Add the meat.

     - This can be combined with step #5.

     - Whatever you have on hand usually works, however some kinds of meat work better than others. Example: I've had salami in fried rice, but I think chicken or pork is better. Also, I wouldn't recommend barbecue, but whatever floats your boat.

7. Add the spices and seasonings to finish it off.

     - This can be more soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, ect. 

     - Also, some people like to scramble an egg and incorporate that into the dish. Eggs aren't my favorite, so I didn't do that. However you are more than welcome to try it!

8. You are done!

     - Make sure all the added ingredients have been sufficiently warmed up. Turn off the burner and enjoy!

     - Quick tip: Feel free to garnish your scrumptious creation. Things like fresh snap peas or parsley can add a burst of color and texture. 

     It's a pretty simple recipe, it's just open to a lot of suggestion. I hope you try it out and enjoy it!