EGG FRIED RICE WITH SWEET N SOUR PANEER

I am fond of plain rice as much as of the bread varieties! My men dislike plain rice unless it is served with their choice of sides, they  love fried rice varieties. Since I am not allowed to eat much of it, I feel like they should have it. Yes, it is a state of mind...I have to see those white grains of prosperity on the table at least once in a day. If I pack it for lunch, I spare them from eating it at night. Yes, Rice is a sign of prosperity among us, we consider it Goddess Lakshmi.

In such a love-hate scenario, I prefer frying the rice with the available spices and colourful vegetables or meat and eggs at home. This the only way I can feed rice to them. If with it we can serve an Oriental inspired side, nothing is as comforting....a complete meal...health and taste loaded.... Today I prepared this EGG FRIED RICE WITH SWEET N SOUR PANEER to pack their lunch boxes.

I feel happier end of the day when I see their lunch boxes....not a single grain of rice can be seen. I hate wastage of food. In the country of my birth where millions still starve, I cannot afford to. I can relate a childhood real life story in this context.

When we were young, a vendor with puffed rice, jaggery  visited our neighbourhood from a village, Joynagar. He used to catch the first train early morning to sell his things, went back in the afternoon. The neighbourhood women used to feed him...we had a nice neighbourhood culture back then. I remember our mother used to feed him lunch...the way he sat, ate....each grain with so much of love and care...I even remember the burp sound after the meal...that of satisfaction...inside my room...I used to be in tears.... I cannot afford or allow to waste food in my home.

I hope you feel the same when you see a hunger stricken poor eating.... Wish I earned and could be of some help. Life's truly a stage with each one playing their own roles....we grow with experience.....

INGREDIENTS :[for the Egg Fried Rice]

Rice : 1coffee cup
Egg : 3
Sliced Onion : 1 tbsp
Chopped Spring Onion : 4 tbsp

Minced Garlic : 1tsp

Minced Ginger : 1/2 tsp
Black Pepper Powder : 1/2 tsp
Soya Sauce[light] : 1tbsp [you can use gluten-free]
Salt : As required
Oil : 1 tbsp

INGREDIENTS : [for the Sweet N Sour Paneer]

Indian Cottage Cheese : 200 gm
Onion : 1 [sliced]

Red, Green Bell pepper : 1 small tea cup [Cubed, Can add the yellow variety too]

Spring Onion : 1 tbsp [chopped]
Green Chilli : 3-4 [slitted]
Ginger : 1tsp [minced]
Garlic : 1tsp [minced]
Cornflour : 1 tbsp
Black Pepper Powder : 1tsp
Salt : As required

Soy Sauce : 2 tsp [you can use gluten-free]
Sweet n Sour Sauce : 2 tbsp
Oil : 1 tsp + 2 tbsp

METHOD :

Let us do the Egg Fried Rice at first!

Wash the rice, boil in enough water till 70% done. Drain the water, pour over a tray, spread evenly.

Wash and cut into small cubes the onion, bell peppers. Get the minced garlic & ginger ready. 

Heat 1tsp oil in a pan. Scramble the eggs and keep aside. Wash the pan, dry and heat the remaining oil meant for the fried rice.

Add the minced garlic, ginger, fry until it is light brown. 

Add the washed sliced onion, fry until translucent. Add the washed, slitted green chillies, stir for a minute at high heat. Pour in the soya sauce, stir for a minute.

Add the rice, add maximum of the washed and chopped spring onion. Stir cook at high heat. Season with salt n pepper. Stir well, add the scrambled egg. Stir again. Switch off the gas stove, it is done.

Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with the rest of the chopped spring onions.

Now let us prepare the Sweet n Sour Paneer!

Add cornflour, salt, crushed black pepper to the paneer cubes, coat well.

Wash and cut the onions, bell peppers into cubes. Slit the green chillies, keep the minced ginger and garlic ready.

Heat the oil in a wok. Fry the paneer pieces till light brown in batches. Take out and keep aside.

Keep 2 tbsp oil in the wok and the rest keep aside for future use. Add the minced ginger and garlic in wok and fry till it gives aroma. Add the cubed onions and stir fry until translucent.

Now add the bell peppers, stir for about 2 minutes at high heat. Pour the light soy sauce & sweet n sour sauce, season with salt n pepper.

Add the paneer pieces, slitted green chillies. Fold in well, switch off the gas stove.

Both dishes are to be served hot and fresh!