I love leftovers….my family, not so much. Rather than listen to moans and groans, I’ve decided to start repackaging them as something brand new. After scoping out the contents of the refrigerator, leftover rice and chicken paired nicely with the remains of a crudite and shrimp cocktail. Voila! A one dish dinner in no time at all. And everybody’s happy, especially me.
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in skillet, add rice, oyster sauce and 5 spice powder and cook stirring frequently 4 minutes or until rice is hot. Add vegetable mixture and eggs to skillet and cook, stirring frequently, 2 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with chopped green onions.
tidbit: If you want to make this vegetarian, simply leave out the chicken/shrimp/pork. You can add some tofu that’s been browned with ginger and garlic or add some shelled edamame with the veggies.
While it’s commonly believed that the name originated because it contains 5 spices, the number actually refers to the 5 elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. In traditional Chinese medicine, an imbalance in these elements is said to be the cause of disease. Various herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years to restore balance to these elements which is how 5 spice powder came into being. While blends vary, Chinese Five Spice Powder is typically comprised of cinnamon, star anise, anise seed, ginger and cloves. It makes a flavorful addition to stir-fry’s, marinades, rubs and even baked goods.
