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Migas Fried Rice

4.4

(9)

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Migas Fried RicePhoto by Peden & Munk

Jaew is a tart, smoky dipping sauce from Thailand, usually served with grilled meats and sausages. Watson takes it to a Tex-Mex place in this eggy, cheesy rice dish that might remind you of nachos (it works).

Do ahead:

Jaew can be made 1 day ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

Ingredients

Tex-Mex Jaew

1 small onion, halved
1 tomatillo, husk removed, rinsed
1 jalapeño
1 dried guajillo or New Mexican chile
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 lemongrass stalk, trimmed, tough outer layer removed, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoons light brown sugar
¾ teaspoon ground cumin

Rice and Assembly

¼ cup vegetable oil
2 corn tortillas, torn into 1" pieces
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, with seeds, finely chopped
Kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
3 large eggs, beaten to blend
3 cups cooled cooked jasmine rice (from 1 cup dry)
2 ounces cheddar, cut into ¼" pieces
2 scallions, thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems
Hot sauce (such as Valentina; for serving)
MSG (optional; for serving)

Preparation

  1. Tex-Mex Jaew

    Step 1

    Roast onion, tomatillo, and jalapeño over a gas burner, turning often, until charred and blistered in spots, about 5 minutes. (Alternatively, broil on a broiler-proof rimmed baking sheet, turning often, 8–10 minutes.)

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, toast guajillo chile in a small dry skillet until puffed and fragrant, about 30 seconds per side. Chop chile (with seeds) and transfer to a food processor. Add garlic and lemongrass and pulse to a coarse paste.

    Step 3

    Add fish sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, cumin, onion, tomatillo, and jalapeño. Pulse to a coarse purée; season with more fish sauce and lime juice, if desired (mixture should be salty and flavorful).

  2. Rice and Assembly

    Step 4

    Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add tortillas and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chips to paper towels to drain. (Alternatively, use storebought corn chips.)

    Step 5

    Increase heat to high and add onion and jalapeño to same wok; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and cook, stirring constantly, until fluffy and just set, about 1 minute. Add rice and cook, stirring often, until rice is evenly coated and beginning to brown, about 4 minutes.

    Step 6

    Add jaew and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and paste reduces slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in cheddar and half of fried tortillas.

    Step 7

    Serve fried rice topped with scallions, cilantro, hot sauce, MSG (if using), and remaining fried tortillas.

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