easy chinese fried rice

i've been on the hunt for the perfect fried rice recipe. i'm still working on my perfect japanese fried rice recipe, but i think this is a GREAT chinese version but much less greasy that what you'll get in a restaurant. i cheat a little by making a pre-made sauce packet, but who cares?! if it's good, it's good... and if the sauce packet is pre-made, that's less effort for you.

ingredients:
2 tbsp butter
about 2 cups cooked white rice (or 3... i can't really remember... fix whatever you need. whenever you cook your rice, add a pad of butter and salt to the boiling water before your rice is added in.)
2 eggs, beaten
any veggies you wish to add (the seasoning packet calls for green onion. i say that addition is optional)
soy sauce
sesame seeds
kikkoman fried rice seasoning packet (pictured here)

directions:
1. prepare seasoning packet as directions specify. (easy. all you do is add water and stir.) add water gradually and stir until well blended.)

2. crack eggs open and beat with a fork until well blended.

3. melt butter in skillet over medium heat until melted.

4. add eggs (and veggies if you are using any). cook completely until slightly brown.

5. add rice. combine until egg is blended throughout and rice is warm.

6. add seasoning mix. stir until rice is well coated with mix.

7. add soy sauce. i didn't measure, but add enough until the rice has a good brown color but not too much. you don't want the soy to overwhelm the other flavors.

8. pack rice down and turn heat to low-medium. stir occasionally. this is an easy dish to make first while attending to other things. packing the rice down tends to draw out just enough of the moisture in the rice to give the rice a good bite - not too chewy, not too dry.

9. right before serving, add sesame seeds. just for fun. :)

pairs great with teriyaki chicken and stir fry veggies!

this is a staple for asian inspired dinners at our house. as i mentioned before, this definitely tastes more chinese that japanese... and yes, there is a difference. stay tuned for the japanese version. hopefully coming soon!

fin.