Sizzling Summer Flavors: Unveiling Ginger & Basil Fried Rice from Giramuk’s Kitchen on Freaky Friday!
The resounding success and sheer enjoyment of our Spring Freaky Friday Blog Hop were absolutely infectious, leaving us eager to bring you an equally delightful summer edition! This time, our vibrant culinary community has expanded even further, welcoming a host of wonderful new foodie bloggers. Today marks a truly special event where each of the 19 participating creators unveils a unique recipe, meticulously prepared from a secret assignment. It’s an incredible opportunity to explore fresh ideas, discover talented new blogs, and gather a fantastic collection of diverse recipes to inspire your summer cooking. So, prepare your taste buds and ready that ‘pin’ button, because a treasure trove of amazing, innovative dishes awaits your discovery!
Discovering Giramuk’s Kitchen: A Global Culinary Journey
I was beyond excited and truly honored to be assigned Giramuk’s Kitchen for this exciting Freaky Friday challenge! Dini, the creative and welcoming hostess of this delectable blog, is a fantastic new addition to our blogging group, and her unique culinary perspective has quickly made her blog a welcomed, inspiring presence in my reading list. Dini’s life story is as rich and flavorful as her recipes: she was born in Sri Lanka, spent her formative years growing up in picturesque New Zealand, later moved to the diverse culinary landscape of Australia, and has now been living here in the USA with her husband since 2014. Her academic background is equally impressive, boasting a Bachelor’s degree in Science and a Master’s in Clinical Audiology. This scientific precision, combined with her passion for food, leads her to playfully describe herself as a “Mad Scientist” in the kitchen – a title that perfectly captures her innovative approach to cooking.
Beyond her incredible recipes, Dini is also an avid and exceptionally talented photographer. To say that her stunning, professional-quality food photography made me a little apprehensive about attempting to compare my own skills when preparing and documenting one of her recipes would be a significant understatement. The visual appeal of her dishes is truly captivating! However, this nervous excitement only added to the thrill of the assignment, motivating me to dive headfirst into her culinary world. The sheer variety and artistic presentation on Giramuk’s Kitchen made the upcoming task of selecting just one recipe an enjoyable dilemma.
The Delightful Dilemma of Recipe Selection: Why Ginger & Basil Fried Rice Won My Heart
The task of selecting merely one recipe from Dini’s extensive and mouthwatering collection was a delightful chore in itself. Giramuk’s Kitchen is a true culinary haven, brimming with an array of tempting appetizers, satisfying main dishes, and inventive cocktails, each more enticing than the last. My initial “short list” was robust, featuring dishes like her incredibly quick and flavorful 10 Minute Chicken Stir Fry Ramen Noodles—a perfect solution for busy weeknights. I also seriously considered the elegant and rich Creamy Coq Au Riesling, which promised a sophisticated and comforting experience, and her unique Peach, Mint, Tequila Sorbet, which sounded like an ideal refreshing treat for a warm summer day. Honestly, these options barely scratch the surface of the incredible flavor sensations and creative concoctions that await discovery over at Giramuk’s Kitchen! The decision-making process was a true testament to the blog’s diverse and inspiring content.
Crafting the Perfect Plate: My Take on Ginger & Basil Fried Rice
After much deliberation, this vibrant Ginger & Basil Fried Rice ultimately won out and captured my culinary imagination. Lately, I’ve been in a serious “basil state of mind,” constantly seeking fresh and aromatic ways to incorporate this fragrant herb into my cooking. This recipe perfectly aligned with that craving. What truly sealed the deal, however, was its undeniable potential for color and visual appeal. I firmly believe that food should not only taste incredible but also be a feast for the eyes; pretty food simply makes the entire eating experience so much more enjoyable and memorable! The combination of ginger, basil, and a spectrum of vegetables promised a dish that would be as beautiful as it was delicious.
Beyond its aesthetic and flavor profile, this Ginger & Basil Fried Rice recipe proved to be incredibly practical and versatile. It was an excellent solution for utilizing some leftover cooked chicken we already had on hand, transforming it into a fresh and exciting meal, thus contributing to an efficient, waste-conscious kitchen. Furthermore, it offered a fantastic opportunity to clear out the lingering vegetables in my fridge’s crisper drawer. Fried rice, by its very nature, is wonderfully forgiving and adaptable. I wholeheartedly encourage you to embrace this flexibility and feel free to incorporate any vegetables you have on hand that are nearing their prime – bell peppers, snow peas, mushrooms, or broccoli florets would all be excellent additions. While Dini’s original recipe didn’t call for purple cabbage, I had some leftover from another dish, so I happily threw it in. Not only did it add an extra layer of vibrant color, but it also contributed a pleasing crunch and additional nutrients. I also opted to slightly reduce the amount of cayenne pepper from the original recipe, custom-tailoring the spice level to better suit our family’s preferences. This minor adjustment proved to be perfect, resulting in a dish that had just the right amount of warmth without being overpowering. I was absolutely thrilled with how it turned out – a truly fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented meal that was both easy to make and incredibly satisfying.
Exploring the #FreakyFriday Community: Discover More Culinary Gems
Now that you’ve savored the details of this delightful Ginger & Basil Fried Rice, I enthusiastically encourage you to extend your culinary exploration by stopping by all the other fantastic blogs linked at the bottom of this post. This Freaky Friday Blog Hop is a wonderful opportunity to connect with some truly awesome new foodie friends and discover incredible blogs that are sure to become your next go-to sources for culinary inspiration. Each of us has poured immense effort and creativity into bringing you a wide and wonderful array of recipes today. Your visits, comments, and engagement on our individual blogs truly brighten our days and make all our hard work incredibly rewarding! It’s a vibrant community passionate about food, and we’d love for you to be a part of it.
So, take your time, enjoy browsing through the diverse and delicious creations, and most importantly, happy eating!
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Print Recipe
Ginger & Basil Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 20 ounces of cooked day old, Basmati or Jasmine Rice (chilled for best results)
- 2-4 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh minced ginger (I love the Gourmet Garden Brand for convenience)
- 2 cups washed and sliced leeks (white and light green parts only)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
- 2 cups purple cabbage shredded (optional, for added color and crunch)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred spice level)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cups raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (a great way to use leftovers!)
- 4 eggs (whisked)
- 4 green onions (sliced)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
Instructions
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In a large wok or a spacious skillet, heat 2-3 tablespoons of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the minced ginger, sliced leeks, shredded carrots, and purple cabbage (if using). Stir-fry for a couple of minutes until the vegetables start to soften slightly. Then, add half of the soy sauce, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and brown sugar. Continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
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Next, add the shredded cooked chicken and raw shrimp to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp turn opaque and pink. (If your chicken is already cooked, it just needs to be heated through and combined. If using raw chicken, ensure it’s fully cooked before proceeding.) The goal is to cook the protein just enough without overcooking to maintain tenderness.
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Push the chicken and vegetable mixture to one side of the wok or skillet, creating an empty space. Increase the heat to high and add a small drizzle of extra sesame oil to the empty side of the pan. Pour in the whisked eggs and quickly scramble them until cooked through but still moist. Once scrambled, gently mix the cooked egg into the rest of the ingredients in the pan.
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Now, add the day-old cooked rice, chicken stock, the remaining soy sauce, and the fresh chopped basil leaves to the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and sauté everything together, tossing frequently, until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is thoroughly heated and lightly toasted. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or soy sauce as needed to suit your preference.
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Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately for a fresh, flavorful, and satisfying meal! This Ginger & Basil Fried Rice is perfect as a stand-alone dish or as a vibrant side.
Nutrition
Meet More Amazing Foodie Friends!
Want to find some awesome new foodie friends and fantastic blogs to follow for endless culinary inspiration? Look no further! Check out our incredible #FreakyFriday Blog group below. Each blogger brings a unique perspective, innovative recipes, and a passion for food to the table, making this a truly diverse and exciting community for anyone who loves to cook, eat, and explore new flavors!
A Dish of Daily Life
Life Currents
Café Terra
Pic-Nic
Who Needs A Cape?
Big Rigs ‘n Lil’ Cookies
Honey & Birch
The Devilish Dish
Giramuk’s Kitchen – Food & Recipe Blog
An Affair from the Heart
Aunt Bee’s Recipes
Full Belly Sisters
The Foodie Affair
Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen
A Kitchen Hoor
Belle of the Kitchen
LeMoine Family Kitchen
The Magical Slow Cooker
Christine It
Don’t miss out on future culinary adventures! Freaky Friday will return in the fall with even more awesome recipes and foodie fun to inspire your kitchen creations!