I can't help but wonder if it's in my blood to want to eat rice dishes or dishes with rice frequently.
I have a fond memory of a trip to Thailand's island of Koh Samui about twenty five years ago when tourism in Thailand was bumping and that island was still not very built up. I stayed in a three dollar hut on the beach. I had to climb into it and the washrooms were in a shack on the grounds. It was the greatest time of my life.
At the time I wasn't vegan or vegetarian although I avoided meat most of the time. I ate coconut curry all most every day for dinner. It usually had shrimp or just vegetables in it.
One day a friend I had met and I, left the village early one beautiful morning to go for breakfast on the other side of the island.
We chose a little place on the beach and sat as the sun had just risen. This was when I realized that fried rice for breakfast was the bacon and eggs of Thailand. I ordered the most delicious fried rice with probably chicken, I don't remember and it left such an impression in my mind.
It probably was the morning sun, glistening on the water, that made my breakfast taste so good.
Yesterday morning I made my own vegan fried rice with tempeh and broccoli. There isn't beach or much light coming into my apartment but there are memories.
The tempeh I got was quinoa and flax even though I prefer the plain one. They ran out of the plain and this is my favorite brand. I used to work for the company and be the one to make it.
I always cook it in something salty so I chose tamari, water and some seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder pepper and paprika. You can use soup broth as well. I only put a tablespoon of tamari because of how it really absorbs flavor and I would be adding it to the fried rice which would get more spices and seasoning.
I didn't have time to go to Chinatown to get the items I wanted like some nice greens and bean sprouts so I settled for broccoli. I usually always use the stem. For me it is the perfect cabbage substitute and combined with carrots it's perfect for stir fries and rice dishes.
I just added my own blend of spices even though it probably would be fine with just pepper.
Tempeh and broccoli fried rice
1 block tempeh
1 broccoli stem
1 carrot
1 onion
1 shallot
1 chili
3 cloves minced garlic
1teaspoon minced ginger
a few coriander stems chopped
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin
1teaspoon nigella seeds
1 bay leaf
Saute onion, add ginger garlic, carrots, broccoli spices.
Add tempeh that has been cooked in the liquid and absorbed.
Add cooked rice. I added around two cups cooked rice.
This was more close to an Indonesian fried rice but still took me down memory lane.
Next time when I'm not too lazy to go to Chinatown I'll make a more Thai style rice vegan version.
This really also reminded me of the beautiful Balinese sun last winter so it was just as good for me.
Thanks for dropping by!