After more than a month of working from home, I’m sure most of us are finding little tips and tricks to upgrade our WFH (work-from-home) lunches.
Even though we can’t go out to our favourite lunch spots during this ‘Circuit Breaker’ period, it doesn’t mean we should just settle for mediocre meals. For someone like me who’s firmly in the ‘lives to eat’ camp, lunchtime is always the highlight of my workdays.
Which is why for today’s Simple Stay-home recipe, I’ll whip up a quick and easy dish that’s bound to fill your bellies and delight your tastebuds. I love Japanese cuisine more than anything, so today’s recipe is Japanese-inspired.
The omu rice is a simple, hearty dish that’s super versatile—aside from the rice and eggs, you can really add in any ingredient you’d like to spice things up. Since most of us can’t be away from the laptop for too long, today’s Japanese Omu Fried Rice will take only 15 minutes to make! Plus, it feeds the whole family.
Ingredients
- 30g minced garlic
- 160g corn kernels
- One whole green pepper, diced
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 600g of cooked overnight rice
- 8 eggs
- Cooking oil
- Light soya sauce
Tools
- Non-stick frying pan
- Spatula
- Knife
- Chopping board
Recipe Preparation
Preparation time: 10 minutes; Cooking time: 5 minutes
Feeds four
- In a pan over medium heat, sauté the garlic, corn, and green peppers in cooking oil until aromatic.
- Mix in the cooked rice. Season with ½ teaspoon of light soya sauce, then set aside.
- Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook until slightly brown.
- To make an omelette, whisk the eggs with ½ teaspoon light soya sauce.
- Set out four rice bowls.
- Set a non-stick pan over medium heat, add cooking oil, then slowly pour in ¼ of the egg mixture. Swirl to fill up all the gaps, then turn to low heat.
- When the omelette is cooked to a light brown, drape it over one rice bowl. Repeat this for the remaining egg mixture and bowls.
- Gently spoon half of the fried rice into each omelette, then tuck in any excess omelette “skin”.
- Place a plate over the bowl, and flip it over without removing bowl or plate. Remove bowl to leave omelette draped over rice in a dome, and drizzle more tomato paste over the top before serving.
- If you’re keeping it for later, flip the omu rice balls into a freezer-proof container. Leave to cool before freezing. Reheat in the microwave at medium for 6 minutes and serve.
Recipe (In Pictures)
Step 1: In a pan over medium heat, sauté the garlic, corn, and green peppers in cooking oil until aromatic.
Step 2: Mix in the cooked rice. Season with ½ teaspoon of light soya sauce.
Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook until slightly brown.
Step 4: To make an omelette, whisk the eggs with ½ teaspoon light soya sauce.
Step 5: Set out four rice bowls.
Step 6: Set a non-stick pan over medium heat, add cooking oil, then slowly pour in ¼ of the egg mixture. Swirl to fill up all the gaps, then turn to low heat.
Step 7: When the omelette is cooked to a light brown, drape it over one rice bowl. Repeat this for the remaining egg mixture and bowls.
Step 8: Gently spoon half of the fried rice into each omelette, then tuck in any excess omelette “skin”.
Step 9: Place a plate over the bowl, and flip it over without removing bowl or plate. Remove bowl to leave omelette draped over rice in a dome, and drizzle more tomato paste over the top before serving.
Step 10: If you’re keeping it for later, flip the omu rice balls into a freezer-proof container. Leave to cool before freezing. Reheat in the microwave at medium for 6 minutes and serve.
And there you have it, your very own Japanese Omu Fried Rice! It may not be restaurant quality, it’s tasty enough.
When I say this is a versatile dish, I mean it. You can add minced meat to the fried rice, or switch out the veggies. Not a fan of green bell peppers? Add carrots for bright, bold colours, or even swap it out for cheese, to add a gooey, creamy texture; the possibilities are endless!
You can also use this recipe for meal prep—freeze the omu rice balls and keep it for a few days. Microwave it for 6 minutes and you’re good to go.
If you try out this Japanese Omu Fried Rice recipe, let know how it goes! What did you add to your version?
Expected Damage: S$6 – S$8 per portion (feeds 4 pax)