Garlic Kale and Cashew Fried Rice.
I just ate a chocolate bunny for dinner so I figured it was time for real food.
What is real dinner these days? Well. I have no idea. But I can tell you what real dinner is not.
Kombucha and saltines. And the kind of kombucha that you’re reeeeeeally considering adding some vodka to, and saltines just because you’ve loved them since before your tween years and apparently right now all you can eat is nostalgic comfort food or nothing. Saltines with sliced cheese. That doesn’t count either.
Seven clementines, only because they are in arm’s reach when you’re holding a baby and you successfully manage to peel them with one hand. Holy accomplishment. It’s all in a day’s work right?
A bath. Yeah that’s real life. I almost (once) passed up on REAL LIFE FOOD to sit in bubbles. It does sound dreamy, no?
The chocolate bunny. Dipped in peanut butter. Because that’s how it went down. And I think I’m about to do it again.
I did it again. This time I lost a bunny ear in the peanut butter jar.
You know I’m talking about Easter candy, right? Because that would be, just… nevermind.
For the last few weeks my brain has been complete mush to the point where I had nooooo idea how to create meals. The good news is that I think I’m over it. The not-creating-meals part, not the brain mush.
The bad news is that I ate some very questionable chicken and also can’t even tell you what I thought would be a good addition to brownies.
And then I deleted 15,000 photos off of my computer which was awesome.
I mean, what I’m trying to say is that I’m having enough of an existential crisis at the moment and then Claire Underwood has to go and CHANGE her hair color? Does she not realize that the basis of much of my existence has most everything to do with the TV shows playing on my screen at the moment?
Much. Most. Moment. See? Brain mush.
BUT.
If anything, I’m back on the easy meal train – hell, right now I’m the conductor. These days, I’ve been making about one high-maintenance dish a week. And by high maintenance, I mean, like… more than avocado toast. Okay not really. I mean more like these enchiladas or this super arrogant meatloaf.
Trust me, the other days are all toast. Or a podcast and the bath and a spoonful of peanut butter.
So with the one fussy meal made – and certainly not because we need it or even because of the blog – but because it feels extra RIGHT to make something crazy and usually, insanely comforting with multiple flavor layers and then eat it after a long day – the simplest meals are what my fingertips need.
This rice is super similar to my favorite pineapple cashew fried rice and even this portobello fried rice, but different enough that I felt compelled to tell you about it and explain why it’s heaven on earth.
It’s SO delicious, especially finished off with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil. And I just go wild for the semi-crispy, toasty basmati brown rice tossed in a little soy sauce too. For me? This is a MEAL.
For Eddie, this is a snack. Or maybe even half of a snack. A quarter of a snack.
Okay, a taste.
I like it for lunch – it can be made ahead of time, is easy enough for daytime and I find it to be crazy filling. For dinner, I seared some thinly sliced beef (recipe HERE) and tossed it in the mix before giving it to Eddie. UGH. It was freaking fabulous. I loved it both ways. I’ve also been craving chicken lately (especially the boneless, skinless thighs) and can imagine how wonderful it would also be. Throw everything in the mix! Maybe even mushrooms?
All I know is that this has kale, and kale means health, and kale cancels out girl scout cookies, so we’re good.
Garlic Kale and Cashew Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown basmati rice
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1 small head of kale, leaves removed and sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 large eggs
- 1 to 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2/3 cup cashews, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Combine the rice, stock and oil in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cover, cooking for 40 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced pepper and onions with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, stirring well. Cook until soft and even a bit caramely, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in another tablespoon of olive oil with the kale, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring every minute or so, until the kale wilts. Scoop all of the veggies out of the skillet and into a bowl.
- Add a 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil to the same and increase the heat to medium. Add the eggs, quickly stirring the entire time they cook, which will take about a minute. Break them apart as much as you’d like. Place the eggs in a separate bowl and set aside, breaking them apart more with a spatula if you want.
- Turn the heat up to high and add the remaining olive oil. Add in the jasmine rice, tossing to coat, then let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes to crisp up and get golden. Stir, breaking apart any pieces, and repeat for another 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat another 1 or 2 times until the rice is a bit crispy and golden.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the soy sauce – if you are not using a low-sodium version, add a bit less and taste before adding more. Add the veggies and eggs back in, then stir in the cashews. Drizzle the toasted sesame oil over top and taste. Season additionally if desired. Serve immediately. This can be eaten alone or can serve as a great base for chicken, shrimp, pork or tofu!
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
Now go have a caramel delight.
99 Comments on “Garlic Kale and Cashew Fried Rice.”
It looks so good with the kale and red peppers and sesame oil is awesome stuff. And it’s awesome you can peel clementines one-handed :) Pinned!
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If we have to have “real dinner” occasionally, this is definitely what it should be! And that caramel delight would be the perfect ending to a perfect meal :)
I had such a giggle at the bunny ear you lost in the peanut butter jar. Hope you were able to retrieve it!!
Loving this rice bowl, cashew nuts are awesome in savoury dishes.
I love this idea! And a new way to eat kale :) I’m not crazy about cooked kale but I feel like I could handle this one.
PS I also have mush brain lately and I don’t even have an infant. I’m going to blame it on the weather. We can blame everything on the weather, right?
This looks as easy and delicious. It reminds me of other dishes I typically make, but I’m digging the addition of cashews and can’t wait to taste! Good luck with the brain mush ;)
Love how colorful and easy this is!
I love the use of brown basmati. I usually make a brown fried rice with peanuts but will definitely try this one with kale and cashews. The sweet and creamy cashew with the bitter kale sounds perfect.
This looks SO delicious! I love easy meals like this for mid-week and like you say can throw some steak or chicken on there for some added protein!
Why did it take me so long to discover boneless/skinless chicken thighs?! They’re my jam.
Chicken breasts are for the birds (see what I did there?)
Ahhhhhhhhh looks so good!! 1 fancy meal a week, wins — it’s about balance, and you’re doing it!!
Also, I laughed when you said this would be a snack for eddie — OMG it would totally be the same for my husband … and for me, we’ll I’d be happy with just a meal lol
I love basmati rice, cashews, sesame oil… the flavors here are beautiful. I’ve been eating eggs for like 3 meals/day lately, and they aren’t even doctored up a whole lot. LIFE is getting in the way of my ambitions to cook more, so I hear your pain! The chocolate bunny + PB sounds like a total win for a meal though!
1. This recipe sounds incredible! Cashews and kale are two of my favs.
2. “I did it again. This time I lost a bunny ear in the peanut butter jar.” this sounds like the makings of an incredible Friends episode…
sounds absolutely delicious! <3
I saw this at the drugstore yesterday: http://www.russellstover.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=3981 – everything you wanted, in one convenient package.
Also – this recipe looks AMAZING
Oh I’m so an organizing and clean freak, just hearing that YOU deleted 15,000 photos makes ME all giddy. I want to do that now! This fried rice looks like the perfect side dish for bunnies + PB.
What a delicious looking recipe, Jessica!
Also… chocolate bunny + peanut butter? I must try that.
When I was like 14 I used to come home from school every day and have Saltines and Sprite. I don’t even like soda anymore (without booze in it) and you just made me so nostalgic for those flavors. I want saltines and Sprite right now. For breakfast.
I’m pretty much down for anything Asian inspired, and I love the sound of garlic kale and cashews! My husband just started working out of town half the time and being alone for dinner means I’ve been SO lazy about cooking. It’s so much harder to get up the motivation to make something complicated for just me. I’ve eaten popcorn for dinner more times than I’d care to admit.
“Kale cancel out girl scout cookies”
LOLOL!!!
I hope that is true.
Yum, yum, yum. I love all of the flavors in this house. I’m sure life is crazy having a baby to love and nurture. Thank you for posting this dish. We love fried rice in our house and this looks full of nutrients.
Saltines and sliced cheese are totally a meal! I have to keep saltines out of my kitchen or else I will just eat them and never actually cook anything ever. Recently I have been just eating kale chips and chocolate for dinner so this fried rice gives me a good reason to use up the rest of my kale in a real meal. Looks so delicious!
Not going to lie – I’m kind of tempted to get a chocolate bunny now so that I can dip it in peanut butter…BUT this rice does look like a much more well-rounded meal, so I’ll go with that. I love how this is like a hybrid of fried rice and cashew chicken. Yum!
I am trying to imagine the one handed Clementine peel. I am so impressed.
You peeled a clementine with one hand? Now that’s talent and determination! This fried rice is just what I need for a real meal. I love the flavor combination here!
Could you please post approx. how many oz of kale you use? I’m having issues with consistently measuring leafy greens for recipes (size of the bunch or head and how much to pack cups). Using my scale is a lot easier.
you’re totally right stacy – i will start doing that from now on! since i didn’t for this recipe, my suggestion would be to start with about 3/4 of the kale leaves that you have and add more as you go since they cook down quickly. it really just depends on how much you like kale! i will def put a better measurement on greens from now on – thanks!
Kale with soy and sesame is a dream! Love this fried rice!
This looks amazing! I love the spin on fried rice, and love the cashew addition. We eat so much fried rice at our house, this will have to make an appearance very soon. Yum cashews!
This looks delicious and I so agree! It makes all the difference when you drizzle a little sesame oil over the rice! I love it!
This looks delicious! I love the cashews!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
I often have those moments where i can decide what is better, a nap or dinner. I feel like your bath for dinner situation is like that.
This meal looks so delicious! Cant’t wait to try it!
Real talk: chocolate bunnies are totally dinner paired with some peanut butter…but this is better!!! So, so, delicious.
“Samoa
Anyone else refuse to call them by their new names????!!!! I can’t handle change.
I was seriously having a fried rice craving and I’ve got some leftover cashews that I may just go to town on with this recipe! I’m having a tough time decided between the portobello fried rice and this one (maybe both???? shh who said that). :)
i totally think you should combine the two!
Haha – a chocolate bunny? now that’s my kinda dinner! Isn’t Kombucha supposed to have Vodka in it? ;)
I’m making Shrimp Lo Mein this weekend, so this will go perfectly!
I know those days when all you want to do is definitely not make real dinner. But this sounds so delicious and comforting!
That rice looks fantastic, and kale totally cancels out cookies, it must it’s so healthy! I love the cashews in this. Can’t wait to try it!
Oh man, this looks delicious. I just happen to have a bunch of kale and some leftover brown rice, so this is happening. Soon!
This sounds super delicious! I am definitely ready for some fried rice action immediately. Spice and veg!
Eating a simplified version of this right now (because I forgot my credit card when I went to the grocery store to get a bell pepper and cashews… facepalm) but it’s still SO yummy. Do not skip the sesame oil – it really pulls it together in a delicious way! Thank you, Jessica!
I have a 7 month old, and I can relate to so much of the craziness you just wrote. I love to cook, and not being able to cook how/when I want has been one of the most difficult things about transitioning into motherhood.
The first sentence of this post gave me the biggest smile ever, thank you for that. We should all eat chocolate bunnies for dinner!
Yes! I love this.
UGH. I am so annoyed with Claire for so many reasons! I need a chocolate bunny (or six).
To me, recipes like this are a good reminder that it just takes a few ingredients and some motivation to make a really yummy, warm, mostly healthy, satisfying meal.
Made this last night (your post yesterday was last night’s dinner save) and also had for lunch today. Delicious! My only regret was forgetting the sesame oil for lunch. Thanks!
SO YUMMY!
Thanks for sharing!!
Nastyadrama.ru
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Now I want chocolate bunnies :-) Thanks for this recipe – will be trying it out – it looks like it will taste amazing . L x
This is funny, I was considering making fried rice for dinner tonight but didn’t…and now I’m seriously regretting that decision because this dish looks so delish! I totally agree that sesame oil drizzled on rice is heavenly.