Pork Fried Rice and Edamame

Last weekend I took off to Nashville, TN to spend some time with my Physical Therapy friends.  We were celebrating Beth's Bachelorette Weekend!

Beth is the one with the crown, in case you couldn't guess that:)

We had so much fun catching up on our 4.5 hour drive there and back.  We enjoyed some great food both in Nashville and another quiant town just south of the big city.  

Lauren and I out in Nashville 

Night two:  we all wore black and the bride wore white.  *Note* I am never the tall one.  In all my other groups of friends I am typically the average or short one.  With this group I tend to tower over all my friends! 

Alex and I had an early morning yesterday.  We got up at 5AM picked up my father-in-law and headed down to the Atlanta Airport.  Our friend's, Kristen and Cody, were flying back from China with their new precious little girl, Mae.

 Here they come!

Finally!  This precious girl is home with her new parents!  God truly blessed this family!

We only got to spend a few short minutes with them because they were anxious to get some food and head home after a long time away.  We can't wait to spend some more time getting to know her and watching as she adapts to her new life.

Since we got such an early start, we decided to hang out at home last night.  We enjoyed this yummy and easy dinner then headed outside to enjoy this awesome spring weather.

I love everything in bloom

We enjoyed a glass of wine while playing corn hole.

 After corn hole, we relaxed on the patio with some great music and then headed in for the night.

Alex won, as always:)

Our four legged children enjoyed their time outside too.

Tini doesn't really like to run around.  She prefers her position as lap dog.

They explored all the new smells that come with spring.

Tucker is looking for the dog next door.  I think it looks like he is in time out.

They enjoyed a run up and down the fence line with "Bubba" the dog next door.

Jackson laying in the monkey grass after sprinting the fence line.

He is ready to play ball

My Mom was so kind and planted us a garden while we were in Mexico.  This tomato plant is on fire.  Look at all those blooms just ready to give me some awesome tomatoes. 

Oh look, we already have two and the plants are only about a foot tall!

Now on to dinner.  It was super easy to make.  We served it with a side of edamame.  I bought a bag of frozen edamame at Trader Joe's.  Just defrost it in the refrigerator.  You can serve it cold or heated up in the microwave.  I heated ours up for ~ 2 minutes in a bowl and served with a little kosher salt sprinkled on top.  Yum!  I might go eat some now because I am hungry!

This was my first time buying ground pork.  I actually couldn't find any when I went to Publix, but the nice meat man went in the bag and ground up a 1/2 a lb. for me.  It was only .98 cents.  Awesome!

These two guys are a must as condiments.  If you aren't a condiment person the fried rice is great by itself.

Pork Fried Rice

Source:  Martha Stewart's Magazine:  Everyday Food

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tbsp plus 1/2 tsp. soy sauce (I used reduced sodium)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger (I just grated it on the microplane) 
• 1 bunch scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
• 1/2 pound of ground pork (you could use turkey too)
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 cups of cooked white rice (3/4 cup of uncooked rice)
• 2 tbsp. rice vinegar

Directions:

In a woke or large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tbsp. vegetable oil over high.  Meanwhile, in a small bowl, lightly beat eggs with 1/4 tsp. soy sauce.  Add eggs to wok and swirl to coat bottom of pan.  Cook, without stirring, until almost set, ~1 minute, then fold in thirds with a spatula.  Transfer cooked eggs to a work surface and cut into 1/2 inch pieces.

Add 1 tbsp. oil to wok and swirl to coat.  Add garlic, ginger, and scallion whites and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, ~30 seconds.  Add pork and cook, breaking up meat, until just cooked through, about 3 minutes.  Add carrots, peas, and rice and stir to combine.  Add cooked egg, 2 tbsp. soy sauce, and 2 tbsp. rice vinegar and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is coated, about 1 minute.  Let cook, undisturbed, until warm, about 1 minute.  Top with scallion greens and additional condiments.  Serve with edamame side.