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If you’re like me, your friends laugh when you try to talk to them about football. I’m actually quite well-versed in first downs, punts, and incompletes–I even played some touch football in high school–but somehow I never found the patience to sit down for a game, and sooner or later everyone just assumed that I wasn’t interested in the sport (which was mostly true).
Now that the end of grad school is in sight, though (!!!), and now that I’m plotting elaborate schemes on how to use the piles and piles of free time that I’m sure post-grad freedom has to offer, I’m toying with the idea of joining a…wait for it…fantasy football league!
Am I kidding? Am I? Hmmm?
I might be–apparently it’s a huge time commitment, and the only thing I can think about committing to right now is a large bar of chocolate–but until I decide that fateful question next season, I’m going to stick to whipping up recipes for the big game instead. In the past, I’ve shared savory sides like these cheesy cauliflower breadsticks and my favorite roasted maple brussel sprouts; I’ve also made sweets like these white chocolate cookie butter shortbread cookies and these amazing Oreo-stuffed peanut butter cookies. This year, however, with the big game so close to Lunar New Year’s, I chose to make one of my favorite Chinese comfort foods to share:
Hong Kong Style Ketchup Fried Rice!
I know what you’re probably thinking: ketchup? In rice?? If you didn’t grow up eating this dish, I’ll admit that it sounds like a weird concept. But I’ve been eating this meal since I was five and I can tell you for a fact that it’s a staple that you absolutely need for those days when you have wayyy too many leftovers waiting to be used up. We were cooking last night before a potluck when my friend tried a bite, jumped up, and exclaimed: “That’s GOOD. Dang, is it just ketchup and soy sauce? I’m going to make this every single day!”
Here’s what you’ll need: rice, add-in ingredients (I used eggs and vegetarian meat), oil for stir-frying, soy sauce, salt and pepper to taste, and (of course) ketchup. I’ve been trying to omit preservatives, artificial colors, and other wonky ingredients in my food this new year, so I decided to grab a bottle of French’s Ketchup from Ralph’s because it uses real sugar and doesn’t contain high fructose corn syrup. (I learned that French’s collaborates with Feeding America as well, which was an added incentive!) Oh, and they also make adorable videos that like the one below that make me smile, so extra kudos for them 🙂
What food fan doesn’t love a nice lovey-dovey video about finding the perfect match through matching condiments, right? Right.
So do yourself a favor this season. Go off the wild end. Make ketchup fried rice. You’ll have fans flocking to your house all big game long (and trust me, they won’t be coming for the sports!).
What’s your favorite recipe for the big game?
Hong Kong Style Ketchup Fried Rice
This Hong Kong style ketchup fried rice is the perfect way to use up leftovers and fill those stomachs before the big game! All you need is a bottle of French's® ketchup, soy sauce, rice, and your favorite savory add-ins.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 vegetarian Italian sausages, sliced
- 3 cups cooked day-old rice
- 2 tablespoons French's® ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large wok or saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or oil of your choice), then pour in eggs and fry for 45 seconds. Add sliced vegetarian sausages and continue to fry for another minute or two, stirring occasionally until sausages are lightly browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Add another tablespoon of oil. Add rice and fry for one minute, then stir in ketchup and soy sauce until rice is evenly coated. Add salt and pepper to taste, then add egg and sausages back in. Toss everything together and transfer to a large serving bowl.
i’ve never had this before, so i was definitely like ….ketchup?! but i’m familiar with/love tomato beef, which is on the sweet side of savory with plenty of tomatoeyness, so i’m sure i’d love this too (:
haha I love Chinese tomato-egg dishes! You’d definitely love this, Heather 🙂
Sounds like a fun dish! And a good use for ketchup — not one of those things we use all that much. Not that we don’t like it, because we do. Just don’t consume much of it for some reason. Anyway, fantasy football? That can be a huge time commitment. A lot of people really love it, though. Fun post — thanks.
Fantasy football seems like a big thing in America I have only ever heard about it on tv shows haha thats so cool 🙂 . Ive never had fried rice with ketchup before either but you made it sound awesome!
haha, it really is a time suck if you’re into that kind of thing! 😀
I have to admit that I like football almost exclusively for the snacks! Meantime, I love this spin on fried rice – yum!
hehe yeah, I think I’m of the same camp right now. Thanks, Kate!
Lately I have had this thing for ketchup, specifically the Heinz organic variety, but I love that this is non-GMO and will be checking it out. Also fried rice is always a hit.
yesss, I really love the non-GMO here! Fried rice for days, yes please xo Happy Monday, Laura!
Mmmm….I love rice, but seem to make it the same way over and over. This Hong Kong version looks terrific—and makes a fun one pan meal!
P.S. Congratulations on being so close to finishing grad school!! Hooray!!!
THANK YOU, Liz!! I’m seriously so excited. (Now if only I could muster up the concentration to finish these darn chapters!)
They do this is Rio. They put ketchup on everything, including pizza. It’s an acquired taste :/
haha agreed, it is an acquired taste! Not a bad thing in this case, though, IMHO 😉
I know this is an older recipe of yours but just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed it! Have made it twice in the past month. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Kat–I’m glad you enjoy this! It’s one of my staples and favorites. Happy cooking! <3