After several rounds of Whole30 and figuring out my microbiome (or at least, figuring it out a little bit better), I still on occasion crave takeout Chinese food. For me, it’s not always worth eating it, but I’ve learned that this Pork “Fried Rice” is a great alternative that hits all the tasty umami flavors and is both filling and delicious. My favorite part of this recipe is how easy it is, and you can choose to use all frozen vegetables to make this even quicker and easier! I personally do not eat a lot of pork, but for this recipe I find it a closer fit to the Chinese food take-out taste I’m looking for.
If you’re interested in learning more about the health benefits of pork (and some of the complications), read below! Otherwise, click “Jump to Recipe” to head on down to how to make this tasty dish!
Is pork healthy for you?
While researching for this blog post, I found a number of websites giving their opinions on pork’s role in the human diet that were not necessarily reliable. While the internet is a great place, and I love it in so many ways, it has opened the door to misinformation. I mean, this blog even is not a credible source, but for the people who stop by here reading my information, I do my best to back up my information with solid sources so that any facts can be confirmed. In short, it is important to not only do your own research, but to do your own research well. This blog post contains only sources that are reliable, scientifically-backed sites that have given ample evidence to their claims.
You can head over to Google right now and ask the question for yourself, “Is pork healthy for you?” and you’ll get more than one answer that seems vague. This article from the Washington Post is even titled “Is Pork good for you? It’s complicated.” While nutrition in general can be complicated, the subject of red meat and saturated fats has been convoluted over the years. Even scientists have called for more studies on how we approach the subject of saturated fats in diets, and we all know from personal experience that one minute foods high in saturated fats can go from a life changing and enhancing food to one you should shun bitterly.
There has been a continuous debate around pork and how healthy it is for you. The truth is complicated and no one aspect of nutrition can fully explain how pork will benefit or harm your diet.
Some health benefits of eating pork include its high protein content (3.5 oz contains 25.7 grams of protein), which can be a great aid to maintaining muscle mass and can promote weight loss. Also, even with the saturated fat debate roaring on in the background, there are plenty of cuts of pork that are not particularly fatty. The Washington Post article mentioned earlier recommends using a “whole hog” approach, balancing out meals with both lean cuts and preparing fattier cuts in such a way that is flavorful but mindful of high fatty cuts. The article also points out that many cuts of pork are often overly salted, including bacon. While we need salt to maintain a healthy diet, many people consume far too much of it. The WHO has even started an initiative to educate and encourage WHO countries to work towards reducing dietary salt intake to improve individual health. So just like everything that you consume, knowing that that many pork cuts are prepared with high salt levels can help you make better decisions about how to have a healthy diet.
Of course, while there is plenty of information on the internet, it’s really up to you and your doctor to determine how your diet should look. Be sure to consult your medical professionals before determining if pork (or any food) is healthy and safe for you and your personal microbiome!
How to make Fried “Rice”
This recipe is so simple you’ll probably add it to your weeknight rotation. For this recipe, you’ll need:
- carrots
- onions
- celery
- zucchini (optional, but tasty)
- any other vegetables you want to add to your fried rice or to use up
- cauliflower rice
- pork (diced) – you can also substitute the pork for chicken, or any protein of your choice!
- eggs
- sesame seed oil
- ground ginger
- salt and pepper
- coconut aminos
If you’re feeling ambivalent about pork, whether because of health reasons or because of the taste (or other reasons!), you can certainly substitute whatever protein you’d like. Chicken would work great for this recipe, or tofu if you tolerate soy. I have not tried this recipe with hemp tofu just yet, but I plan to in the future! I have full confidence that it will be incredibly delicious!
This is a great recipe to use up any vegetables that you have in the fridge that you’ve been meaning to use! First, chop your veggies and set them aside. I choose to add in my cauliflower rice in at the end, but you can add it in at any point in the process. In a large pan over medium heat, warm the sesame seed oil. Add in your vegetables once the oil has warmed. The vegetables should sizzle when added to the oil.
Season your vegetables with the salt, pepper, and ground ginger. Be sure to stir them so that they cook evenly. Once they have cooked through, remove them from the stove. Add some more sesame oil to the pan and allow it to warm. Add in your pork, and season it with some salt, pepper, and ground ginger as well. Stir the pork frequently to make sure that it cooks all the way through. Once the pork is cooked, push it to the sides of the pan to create a space in the middle. Crack a few eggs in the middle, and scramble them as they cook. Once your eggs and pork are cooked, add back in your vegetables and add in your cauliflower rice.
Cover the veggies in coconut aminos, stir, and allow it to simmer for a few minutes on the stove. Serve when ready! I love topping mine with red pepper flakes to make it spicy. Enjoy!
Fried “Rice” (Whole30, Paleo, Keto)
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchinis
- 4 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 1 onion
- 2 tbsp sesame seed oil, separated
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1.5 lbs pork, diced (can substitute chicken or other protein)
- 4 cups cauliflower rice
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup coconut aminos
- 4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Chop your carrots, zucchini, celery, and onion.4 medium zucchinis, 4 carrots, 3 celery stalks, 1 onion
- Warm 1 tbsp of the sesame seed oil in a large pan.2 tbsp sesame seed oil, separated
- Once the sesame seed oil is warm enough, add in your chopped veggies. Allow them to cook for about 7-10 minutes, stirring regularly so they do not burn.
- Season the vegetables with the ground ginger, salt, and pepper. You can also season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper
- Remove your vegetables from the pan. Add some more sesame seed oil to the pan and cook your meat of choice, stirring regularly until everything is cooked through.1.5 lbs pork, diced (can substitute chicken or other protein)
- Move your protein to the sides of the pan to make some space in the middle of the pan. Crack the eggs in the center and allow them to cook for about 30 seconds, and then scramble them in the pan. Continue to stir so that the eggs cook thoroughly.4 eggs
- Once both the eggs and the protein have cooked through completely, add back in your vegetables, adding in your cauliflower rice at the same time. Stir thoroughly.4 cups cauliflower rice
- Pour the coconut aminos over the stir fry and allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes on low.3/4 cup coconut aminos
One thought on “Fried “Rice” (Whole30, Paleo, Keto)”