Meat & Poultry

Quick And Tasty Ham Fried Rice Using Leftovers.

Chris De La Rosa
Chris De La Rosa
Storyteller · Award-Winning Author · TV Personality & Caribbean Culinary Curator.
Quick And Tasty Ham Fried Rice Using Leftovers.

Fried rice and leftovers goes hand in hand. I can’t tell you the joy I feel in my soul when I see leftover rice in the fridge. This time around along with the rice, I remembered that there was ham in the freezer from last Thanksgiving. So I give you, my quick, easy and delicious Ham Fried Rice.

You’ll Need…

2-3 cups cooked rice (chilled)
2 scallions (chopped)
1 clove garlic (diced fine or crushed)
1/4 habanero pepper (optional – fine dice)
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
3/4 tablespoon oyster sauce
3/4 cup peas (I used frozen)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pimento pepper (seasoning pepper – diced fine)
1/2 carrot (1/2 cup diced)
1 cup diced ham

Time to prep the ingredients as this is a very quick recipe and we need everything handy.

Heat the oil on a medium/high heat in a wide pan (I used my wok, but you can use a frying pan or skillet if you like) then add the cubed ham (I had it thawed) and cook for 2-3 minutes. Since the pieces of ham was a bit fatty, I wanted to render down some of that fat to add additional flavor to the completed fried rice.

It’s now time to add the frozen peas followed by the pimento (use bell peppers if you can’t source Pimento peppers) and habanero pepper .. 30 seconds later add the garlic followed by the oyster sauce and stir well. Remember to wear gloves when handling such hot peppers as Habaneros and do wash your hands after with soap and water. Also remember that the seeds and white membrane around the seeds will be packed with raw heat.

May I recommend that you use chilled rice or at least day old rice as you will get a much more grainy texture to your finished dish. Add the rice, followed by the soy sauce and mix well.

Basically all you need to do is make sure the rice heats through (about 3-4 minutes). I did cook my rice with salt, so the sodium from the soy sauce is enough to season this perfectly for me. Adjust with added salt if you need to.

Turn off the stove and top with the scallions.. You’re done! This is why I LOVE fried rice. Quick, simple ingredients and an outstanding one-pot meal.

If you can, please support. And should you have questions about this recipe or anything food related, be sure to Ask Chris.

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