Recreating comfort food

No matter where we come from, there's no denying the cravings of our favourite comfort foods when we're away from home, particularly during our university years. In this article, I'll take you on a journey as I attempt to recreate my go-to comfort food, the classic egg-fried rice. Along the way, I'll share where I source my ingredients and steps to prepare this wonderful dish. So, let's dive in and discover the flavours of home.

Sourcing ingredients

To start my egg-fried rice adventure, I headed to the local Asian market in the city (there are plenty of them). These treasure troves of supermarkets never fail to offer an authentic taste of home. I picked up jasmine rice from here, fresh eggs, and a medley of vibrant vegetables, including carrots, from the university supermarket “Fresh”. Ensuring quality ingredients is the key to a successful dish that truly reminds me of home.

Cooking Steps

1. Begin by rinsing the rice and cooking the rice according to the package instructions. While the rice is cooking, beat the eggs in a separate bowl and set aside.
2. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and slightly add oil to coat the surface.
   
3. Pour the beaten eggs into the wok and stir gently until they begin to set but are still slightly runny. Add the cooked rice to the wok, breaking up any clumps and ensuring it is well combined with the eggs.
   
4. Toss in the diced carrots and other vegetables, stirring continuously for a few minutes until they are tender-crisp. If desired, you can now add the canned tuna for an extra punch of protein(like I did).
   
5. Stir it into the mixture, allowing it to heat through and season the dish with soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Remember to start small adjust according to your preference.
   
6. Increase the heat to high and continue to stir-fry for another minute or two, ensuring all the flavours meld together. Remove from heat and serve hot.
   

Additional Tips

Depending on your preference, you can add diced spring onions or onions to your egg-fried rice too. In terms of aroma, you can add a dash of sesame oil or a sprinkle of Chinese five-spice powder during the cooking process. Another way to customize your dish by adding your preferred protein, such as diced chicken, shrimp, tofu, or, in this case, canned tuna for an extra protein boost.

Conclusion

Preparing and enjoying my favourite comfort food, egg-fried rice, with the added touch of canned tuna, allows me to reconnect with the flavours of home while providing an additional boost of protein. Gathering ingredients from the local Asian market and the university supermarket ensures that the dish is as authentic as possible. So, whether it's cooking in the comfort of my kitchen in my university, the flavours of home are never too far away.