A favourite family recipe provided by 12-year-old Brooklyn Jiang of Thames’ Sunburst Coffee Lounge, star of episode three of Takeout Kids.
Brooklyn Jiang features in the third episode of Takeout Kids, which explores the lives of kids growing up in takeaway shops and family-run restaurants. In between school, Brooklyn can be found making and repairing gadgets and, with his two sisters, helping out around his parents’ cafe, Sunburst Coffee Lounge in Thames.
The fried rice below is a staple in Brooklyn’s household. Brooklyn’s mum Lim Heng, who’s originally from Cambodia, has finessed the recipe over time, but it’s based on techniques and tips learnt from her own mother and aunties.
Brooklyn’s top trick is to “always cook the rice first” and to make sure you’re using dark soy sauce. His mum adds that if you’re using frozen vegetables, cook them in the pan first to dry them out before adding the rice.
RECIPE: HOMEMADE FRIED RICE
Brooklyn Jiang, age 12
This is my mum’s recipe. It is the best fried rice I have ever had. You can have as many different fillings as you want, so you can alter the recipe however you like. It tastes good!
- 1 bowl of cooked rice
- 200g barbecue pork or any meat of your choice, if you want
- 2 eggs (optional)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- oil
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 2 teaspoons chicken stock
- 1 handful mixed vegetables or any chosen vegetables
- ¼ diced onion
- 1 spring onion, finely chopped
After cooking the rice, cook the meat of your choice and the eggs, if using, and put them aside once all done.
Sauté the minced garlic in some oil then add the rice to the pan along with the dark soy sauce. Mix well and add salt, pepper, sugar and chicken stock into the mix.
Then add the vegetables and cooked meat. When it’s almost cooked through, add your onions and spring onions and serve!
Read our profile of Brooklyn Jiang here
Click here to watch the full series of Takeout Kids. Takeout Kids was made with the support of NZ On Air.