FRUGAL STUDENT FOOD: ONE-POT BACON RICE SUPPER, sassy frugal & nutritious

Every household has its 'restrict further food spending - budget's getting low' days.  Here's a brilliant solution.

Bacon Rice with Steamed Vegetables
'Revives happy memories of budget Chinese food at Uni'

This dish proves that small - very small - amounts of protein mixed with vegetables and carbs can make a frugal dish a singular delight.  

Called 'Bacon & Egg Pie' in some North American Chinese restaurants, the dish makes good use of a few slices of back bacon and a solitary egg.  The bacon - two slices minimum, 3 if you're living dangerously - adds a glorious saltiness but the fat is removed to reduce calories.  The egg adds its own sauce. 

It's very quick and easy; no waiting around for ages before one can eat!  The bacon and veg steam on top of the rice; you can manage with just one pot and an optional frying pan. 

Perfect singleton food!

Though 67 is normally a purist where rice is concerned, the rice used in this recipe is a quick cook Basmati* which is ready in 10-12 minutes. 
     

Cost: £2.50'ish
Feeds:1-2 

Ingred:
   145gms/3/4 cup quick cook white rice

   360 ml/1 1/2 cups water

   2-3 slices back bacon, all fat removed, in 1/2 in/1 cm strips
   80 gm/3 oz tenderstem broccoli or shredded sprouts or green beans or a mix 
   1 tsp butter (opt)
   1 egg per person (opt) 

   Garnish: oyster or hoisin sauce

Method:

1. Wash rice thoroughly in a sieve until water runs clear
2. Add it to a pan with the amount of water recommended; bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook according to instructions
3. Ten mins before the end of cooking time, scatter bacon across the surface of the rice; avoid clumping.
4. Return lid; continue cooking
5. 5-7 mins before end of cooking, scatter veg across the surface of the rice
6. Once cooking time is complete, remove veg; set aside & keep warm
7. Stir the rice, distributing bacon strips evenly
8. Pile into a dish.  Add butter, if using, and allow it to melt into the rice.
9. Arrange vegetables around the outside of the rice. 
10. If having eggs, fry or poach until whites are firm but the yolk is still runny an place on the rice
11. Drizzle sauce, if using, over dish.

Tips:

• If you liked this you will also like Piquant Rice, a sassy wallet-friendly vegan base with options for cooked meat or fish

*Waitrose

Stir-fries: the ultimate fast food

Quick, easy, fabulously tasty and economical.  What more could one ask?  Try these:

    The Art of Stir-Fry: a guide to stir-fry technique 

    7 minute Pork/Chicken & Pineapple Noodles 

    Slimmers' Beef with Veg

    Vegan: Low-carb Harvest Veg

    Lamb leg with Sherry, Soy Sauce & Orange

   

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This recipe has  been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.