Fried Rice

If I could only use one vessel for cooking for the rest of my life, it would be a wok.  They are great for stir fry, soup, steaming vegetables, camping, eggs, and wearing as a hat.  I made this fried rice in my wok, but you can use a large frying pan instead.  Just make sure that you have all of the ingredients prepared before you start the cooking process.

This recipe is adapted from a Better Homes and Gardens recipe.

Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked white or brown rice
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 Tbs peanut oil or extra virgin olive oil
1 stalk sliced celery
1 cup fresh mushrooms
1 carrot, shredded
1 cup frozen peas
2 Tbs soy sauce

2 - 3 sliced green onions 

Procedure

Begin by preparing the rice according to package instructions.  While the rice is cooking, prepare the other ingredients.  Combine the eggs, 1 tsp. soy sauce, and garlic in a small bowl.  Preheat 1 tsp oil over medium heat.  Add egg mixture and stir gently to scramble.  Remove eggs from wok when done.

Increase wok to medium-high heat.  Add 2 Tbs peanut or extra virgin olive oil to wok.  Stir fry celery for about one minute.  Add mushrooms and stir fry for about 1 to 2 minutes.  Add cooked rice, carrots, peas, and 2 Tbs soy sauce.  Cook for 5 or 6 minutes, stirring every 30 to 45 seconds.  Add egg mixture and green onions.  Cook for another minute or until heated through.  Eat and enjoy.

Apple Crisp

I thought I would start things off with some apple crisp since apples seem to taste better this time of year.

The Ingredients:


The Apple Part


6-8 tart apples, peeled and cored
1 tsp lemon zest
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg


The Crunchy Part

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup oatmeal
3/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 sticks of unsalted butter cut into small pieces


The Procedure

Preheat the oven to 350 F


Peel the apples and remove the cores.  Cut apples into bite size pieces and place in a large bowl.  Add lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg.  Take a spoon and mix it all together.  Place in an ungreased  9" x 13" pan.

Get a new bowl to make the topping.  Add the flour, sugar, salt, oatmeal, brown sugar, and butter.  Mix well.  Pour evenly over the apples.  Bake at 350 F for about an hour or until the top is crispy.  Cool and serve with ice cream, chocolate syrup, or both.