Prepare this tasty Sardines Fried Rice using convenient canned sardines and frozen mixed vegetables. Big on taste with minimum prep work.
Culinary history was changed forever when someone long ago in China introduced rice to wok! The humble steamed rice, tossed with seasoning (normally soy sauce) and oil, seared with the intense heat from the frying pan, transforms into a dish worthy of kings. There was even an episode of Iron Chef where the Japanese chef completed the rout of his challenger by frying rice with a dash of shrimp paste that won the judges over with its flavor.
While our post today is certainly not set in a competitive cook-off, fried rice on the menu is very much something to look forward to. To start with, fried rice is simply delicious. Secondly, it is a complete meal in itself which makes it perfect for lunch. Finally, it is quick and easy to prepare. Coupled with a bowl of clear soup, it is comfort food for our family. No wonder that as Ro-Taro gets ready to head out to college this fall, he has requested for mom to teach him how to prepare fried rice. It’s like the old saying about teaching a man to fish, with a twist we can say that “teach a child to fry rice and he will learn to feast for a lifetime”.
Cooking fried rice in a home setting is a piece of cake with the available utensils and ingredients. Almost any fresh or leftover meat and vegetables can be thrown in and the rice will taste good so long as the pan is hot and the grains of rice are separated and fluffy. In a dormitory setting, the challenge is with a limited budget, appliances, utensils, ingredients, and time. The dorm room may be equipped with a mini fridge, 3-cup mini rice-cooker, a deep fry pan, spatula, knife, simple plates and silverware, and a tote to transport these to the dorm kitchen. Basic ingredients include rice, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and dried spices.
Next is to check out the grocery store for suitable ingredients in small quantities. Small cans of sardines are great as they have a long shelf life and can be easily stored in the room. An entire can is perfect for a meal with no need to mess around with leftovers. A one-pound bag of frozen mixed vegetables can be stored in the freezer compartment of the mini fridge. Onions may be purchased singly or substituted with onion powder. Garlic may be omitted altogether.
Most days Ro-Taro will be eating at the campus cafeteria but when he feels the pangs of homesickness, he can always check out mom’s blog. 😉 In fact, I have created a Dorm Cooking tab, a sub-category of Misc in the drop-down menus above for Ro-Taro’s easy reference. There will be more fried rice and simple meal recipes complete with shopping guide in the days to come.
Prepare this tasty Sardines Fried Rice using convenient canned sardines and frozen mixed vegetables. Big on taste with minimum prep work.
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In a large non-stick fry pan, heat vegetable oil. Fry onions for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and fry for another minute.
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Split open sardines with a fork. Remove bones. Drop sardines into the pan and fry for 2 minutes. Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and allow it cook for another 3 minutes.
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Then add cooked rice. Give it a stir. Add soy sauce, remaining hot sauce from can, pepper, and salt (to taste). Stir to get everything well mixed and cook until rice is dry and fluffy. This will take 4 to 5 minutes.
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Remove and serve immediately.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
denise @ singapore shiok says
July 20, 2012 at 2:19 amI have never tried making fried rice with canned sardines, but now I don’t see why not, since I love anchovy fried rice and the two are close cousins 😉 Of course knowing me, I will sneak some chilli into the pan, when no one’s looking 😀 The rice looks so grainy and fluffy and your bowls are adorable! I am sure too, that Ro-Taro will be checking in very regularly at mama bear’s blog lololol
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:02 amI would also add the chilies if I was cooking for myself. 🙂 I lugged those bowls home during my last visit. It is no wonder my luggage was so over loaded. Yes, the flavor of sardines fried rice and ikan bilis fried rice has similarities.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
July 20, 2012 at 5:21 amYummy! I am a huge fan of stir-fried rice. This sounds and looks so very flavourful with sardines.
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:03 amStir-fried rice is comfort and fast food for us. We love it! 🙂
Ramona says
July 20, 2012 at 5:49 amThis fried looks fabulous. I have never made it with sardines. I know how healthy they are for you… gotta try this one. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend! ~ Ramona
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:04 amDo give it a try. It really is quite tasty.
PolaM says
July 20, 2012 at 8:42 amthis fried rice looks more than delicious! I’d love to have some! And I love your guide to dorm cooking!!
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:05 amThanks Pola! More dorm cooking tips coming up soon. 🙂
Nasifriet says
July 20, 2012 at 7:58 pmI love sardines. I can eat them just like that out of the can. Shame on me. Mashed sardines with chilli and lime/ lemon juice with sprinkle of coriander or spring onion and spread this on bread. Yummy! Sardines fried rice? Not attempted yet. Sounds interesting, ‘cos it’s hassle free, which I like :-D. Will definitely give this a shot when I want to make a quick meal for the boys. Thanks for sharing, Biren!
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:07 amI eat sardines out of a can too. In fact, mom used to make a no-cook salad with it. I made it recently but didd not take any pictures. Maybe I’ll share it one of these days. It is similar to the sardine filling for sardine sandwiches.
mjskit says
July 20, 2012 at 10:04 pmYou just might get me liking sardines with this recipe! I know my husband would love it because he’s a huge sardine lover. I should definitely try this because taste buds do change and it does look quite good!
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:08 amYes, tastebuds do change and you may surprise yourself. 😉
mycookinghut says
July 21, 2012 at 12:08 pmWhat a comfort food! I love sardine but have never tried using in fried rice. Going to give it a go. 😉
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:09 amIt sure is comfort food. I hope you will give it a try soon.
torviewtoronto says
July 22, 2012 at 10:14 amlovely fried rice with sardine looks wonderful
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:09 amThanks!
kitchenriffs says
July 22, 2012 at 12:47 pmFried rice is great! Never tried it with sardines – I should. Sardines are so healthy and have tremendous flavor. But I didn’t even know you could buy them canned in hot sauce! What a terrific idea (I love spicy). Good post, and your son will certainly eat well at college! Thanks for this.
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:13 amI think the sardines in hot sauce taste even better than those in tomato sauce. It is especially good in fried rice. 🙂 My son has been frying a lot of rice lately. I think he will be just fine. 🙂
Jeannie says
July 23, 2012 at 12:42 amI have not tried frying rice with sardines before, looks really good and so simple! Will try this when I have leftover rise:D
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:13 amYou should give it a try. So simple and delicious!
Raymund says
July 23, 2012 at 3:17 amThis is something I should try, We use sardines other ways like soups and noodle but never in a fried rice.
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:16 amCanned sardines are really versatile. I too have used them in a spicy tangy soup in place of chub mackerel.
Dongxing says
July 23, 2012 at 7:05 amOne of our favaorites when I am too stressed and in a hurry to whip something out to feed hungry mouths. These days the supermarkets carry boneless sardines in ketchup, so even more time saving! Love all your posts, Biren, I just have not been able to write any comments of late. Keep blogging and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading every single one of them, especially those on Malaysia.
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:19 amCanned sardines are pantry staples for me. This fried rice amkes a quick and easy meal. Wow…boneless sardines! That’s a nice to have but the bones provide extra calcium.
Glad to hear you are enjoying my posts. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Kitchen Belleicious says
July 23, 2012 at 9:06 pmsardines and fried rice- what a wonderful rich and salty flavor that I would go crazy over! So glad you are posting still- please don’t stop! I love all your recipes! Keep going!
Biren says
July 25, 2012 at 10:21 amYou are so right about it being a “salty” flavor. It is very tasty and appetizing. My boys love it.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. 🙂
Magic of Spice says
July 30, 2012 at 6:55 pmI have not had fried rice in way too long, this looks wonderful!
Amber says
May 31, 2018 at 7:20 pmDo you pour all the sauce from the canned sardine into the fried rice? Would it make the rice soggy?
Linda says
June 5, 2018 at 5:10 pmI do pour in most of the sauce but you can use only as much as you prefer.