A Simple Stir Fry with your Tween!

Source: Tween Parent Staff

(17 ratings)

Getting your tween involved in helping with household chores can often be a chore itself. But, there are some chores that are more joyful than others. Tweens, especially older tweens, often find cooking to be less of a chore and more of a fun activity. Cooking requires organizational skills (to gather ingredients), following directions, and perseverance (from start to finish). But at the end, it offers a sense of accomplishment and a "gift" to the family. Below is a recipe that's easy to throw together, with basic ingredients and makes a nice presentation! If you have other veggies and spices that your family likes, toss them in and have some fun. Yummy!

Fried Rice with Shrimp (or Chicken)

5 teaspoons olive oil
2 eggs , lightly beaten
1 lb frozen, raw, shelled and deveined medium-size shrimp , thawed; or chicken breast, cut into 1" cubes
½ lb cooked rice
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 package (10 oz) frozen peas and onions , thawed
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 can (5 oz) sliced water chestnuts , drained

Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add eggs; cook until set (about 2 minutes). Remove eggs; slice into thin strips. Heat remaining 3 teaspoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp (or chicken). Cook, turning, for 3 minutes. Remove and keep warm. Reduce heat to medium. Add rice, 3 tablespoons water and ground ginger. Cover and reheat 2 minutes. Uncover and stir in peas, soy and oyster sauces and water chestnuts. Cook 4 minutes. Add 1/3 cup water if mixture is dry. Stir in shrimp/chicken and egg strips and raise heat to medium-high. Cook, covered, for 2 minutes or until heated through. Serve warm.

Per serving: 362 calories; 12 g fat (2g sat.); 32 g protein; 32 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 935 mg sodium; 278 mg cholesterol

Makes 4 servings; Prep 5 minutes; Cook 13 minutes