JAMAICAN VEGGIE FRIED RICE

After slavery ended in Jamaica (1838)indentured laborers from India and China were brought to Jamaica and with them came their fruits and vegetables and their way of cooking. While this recipe is similar to the fried rice we are used to in the states, it is different and would go better with Jamaican food, rather than typical Chinese fried rice. I think it is better.

Serves 6

2 tbs veg oil
2 whole cloves garlic
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped
1 cup celery chopped
1/2 cup sweet peppers, chopped (I used regualr
red bell pepper)
1/4 cup carrots, coarsely grated
4 cups cold, cooked rice (I always use white basamati
rice because it is easier to digest and I prefer the
taste)
1 cup of bean sprouts (I used alfalfa sprouts)
2 scallions, chopped
1-2 tbs Tamari (or more to your taste)
2-3 tsp Pickapeppa Sauce*
Bit of parsley, chopped or dried

Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan with a cover, and fry
the whole cloves of garlic until they are brown. Remove
the garlic.

Saute the onions and chopped garlic in leftover oil until
the onion is transparent. Then add the celery, sweet
peppers, and carrots, and saute another 2 minutes.

Add the cooked rice, continue to stir-fry for another
3 minutes, and then add the bean sprouts and scallions.

Add the tamari and pickapeppa sauce, and mix well for
another minute. Serve hot, garnished with parsley.

Recipe from Delicious Jamaica! Vegetarian Cuisine by
Yvonne McCalla Sobers

*I've had mine for a while, but it probably is available
at Publix, Whole Foods, or Jamaican grocers.