Fried Brown Rice with Red Pepper and Almond

I’m not the biggest fast food fan. We ate fast food here and there when I was a kid but for the most part, my mom usually cooked each night. Considering she worked a full time job and then came home to make us dinner, I can understand why we had fast food every so often. But I don’t really have a palette for fast food anymore (unless I’m on a road trip when all I want is French fries and a milkshake) but instead, when I don’t feel like cooking, I instinctively call the Chinese food restaurant for takeout. My guilty pleasure go-to dish is vegetable fried rice which is probably one of the worst things a) on the menu and b) ever. Since homemade fried rice dishes are never as good as the real thing, I’m hoping I’ll find a homemade recipe that I like enough to keep me from picking up that phone. A girl can hope. This time, I tried Fried Brown Rice with Red Pepper and Almond.

Onion, garlic, red pepper, and sliced almonds are sautéed in peanut oil briefly before adding in precooked rice (a HUGE time saver). Fresh lime juice, curry paste, and cilantro leaves are adding such unique flavors that you don’t even realize that there isn’t a lick of soy sauce anywhere. The curry paste is mild and has a very subtle flavor, much different than curry powder, so don’t be scared of it and don’t leave it out. It really adds a great bold flavor to this rice. The peppers and onions are sweet and the lime juice really gives this a vibrant flavor boost. This vegetarian dish comes together quickly so you don’t have to spend much time over the stove after a long day. Still not your cup of tea? Try one of the other fried rice recipes in the link. You just might find one you like that will keep you from order Chinese food or hitting that fast food restaurant.