The F Word - The art of disguise

… of fish, continued - Nasi Goreng, or not

Set down below is my standard recipe for this favourite.

 Nasi Goreng

3 eggs

1 tbsp water

1 tbsp oil

4 tbsp vegetable oil

2 onions, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed or garlic paste

half tsp chilli powder

8oz (225g) cooked rice

6oz (175g) cooked chicken or turkey meat, diced

6oz (175g) peeled prawns, defrosted if frozen

2 tbsp dark soy sauce

1 tsp soft light brown sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

6oz (175g) cooked wafer ham, thinly sliced

black pepper

Serves 4-6

Beat the egg lightly with the 1 tbsp water.  Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or frying pan. Pour in the egg and cook until set underneath, turn and cook until set on other side.  Slide the omelette out of the pan, roll up into a cigar shape and slice into strips – set aside.

Add the vegetable oil to the wok and heat gently. Add the onions, garlic and chilli powder and fry until lightly browned.  Add the rice and cook for a few seconds then stir in the chicken and prawns.

Mix the soy sauce, sugar and lemon juice together, then stir into the rice mixture. Stir in the ham then season to taste with pepper.  Spoon the mixture into a serving bowl and garnish with the omelette strips.  (serves 4-6)

Nasi Goreng literally means “fried rice” - in effect, leftovers i.e. everything in it, apart from the onion, garlic and chilli and the sauce is already cooked.

Here's a thought or two to “perfect” the disguise.  Omit the omelette element at the beginning of the recipe.

Substitute the cooked chicken with thin strips of smoked salmon and/or smoked salmon flakes.

Substitute the ham with 4-6 hard boiled eggs, chopped.

Garnish the completed dish with chopped coriander or chopped flat leaf parsley – whichever you prefer.

Serve wok to table as part of your sharing fish salad platter.

My final tip – why not serve with a bowl/basket of Little Gem lettuce “cups” then your guests can spoon the Nasi Goreng into the lettuce cups and enjoy.  A little extra – serve individual dishes of sweet chilli sauce to each person so they can dip their lettuce cup full of Nasi Goreng.

Healthy stuff and no batter in sight!