Aromatic Asparagus and Bacon Fried Rice
Enjoy Asparagus Bacon Fried Rice: A Perfect Weekend One-Bowl Meal
Wondering how to enjoy asparagus? It’s wonderfully versatile! This simple fried rice is a fantastic way to use it up. The fresh, slightly grassy flavor of asparagus pairs beautifully with savory bacon and tender crab sticks for a satisfying one-bowl meal. A quick and delicious option for your weekend!
Main Ingredients- 1 heaping bowl of cooked rice (warm)
- 5 stalks of asparagus
- 3 strips of bacon
- 1 imitation crab stick (kani)
Seasonings & Others- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- Sesame seeds, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- Sesame seeds, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the asparagus. Trim off the tough bottom 1-2 cm of each stalk. Then, use a vegetable peeler to gently shave off the tough outer skin of the lower half of the stalks. This step is key to ensuring tender asparagus. Once prepped, finely chop the asparagus into pieces about 0.5 cm long.
Step 2
Dice the bacon into small pieces, about 0.5 cm in size. You want them small enough to distribute evenly but still have a pleasant chew.
Step 3
Shred the imitation crab stick into thin strips by hand. This way, it will blend nicely into the fried rice. And with that, all our prep is done!
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium heat and add the diced bacon. Cook until it’s nicely browned and slightly crispy. Cooking bacon over medium heat allows its fat to render slowly without burning, creating a delicious foundation for the dish. You typically won’t need extra oil, but if your bacon is lean, you can add about 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.
Step 5
Once the bacon is lightly browned, push it to one side of the pan. In the cleared space, add the chopped asparagus and stir-fry it in the rendered bacon fat.
Step 6
Continue to cook the asparagus and bacon together until the asparagus is tender-crisp and slightly browned, about 1-2 minutes. Crispy bacon is always a delight! The aroma of the asparagus mingling with the savory bacon fat is wonderful.
Step 7
Push the cooked bacon and asparagus to the side of the pan, or temporarily remove them to a bowl. Add the warm rice to the center of the pan. Use your spatula to break up any clumps of rice and stir-fry until it’s loose and fluffy. If using cold rice, make sure to thoroughly break down any lumps to achieve a good texture.
Step 8
Once the rice is well-loosened, add the cooked bacon and asparagus back into the pan. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
Step 9
Now it’s time for seasoning. Combine 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Drizzle the seasonings evenly over the rice and ingredients, then quickly stir-fry to distribute the flavors. Be sure to mix well to prevent the sauces from pooling in one spot or burning.
Step 10
Finally, add the shredded imitation crab stick and sesame seeds. Stir gently to incorporate them. Crab sticks can become mushy if overcooked, so adding them at the very end and mixing briefly is best.
Step 11
Your aromatic asparagus and bacon fried rice is ready! This flavorful one-bowl meal, made with simple ingredients from your fridge, is perfect for a relaxed weekend lunch. It’s a delicious way to transform asparagus into a delightful dish.
