Apple Fried Rice

It's an apple-icious twist on a classic!  Chopped apples, celery, and pecans combine to create this flavorful, seasonally-inspired  Apple Fried Rice. 

One of my favorite things about fall is fresh apples.  See, I'm kinda picky about my apples.  They've got to be super crunchy ... and on the tart side.  Soft and mealy textured?  Won't touch 'em.  Little soft spots or shrively skin?  Nope - no way.  Sweet?  Won't do that either.  I know, it's one of my weird little food 'things' ... please tell me I'm not the only one.
About the only apples I really like to eat are those fresh-picked from the tree.  {Or a Granny Smith from the store ... I can handle that.}

So, that means fall ... when we do our annual apple picking trip ... is about the only time of year I eat fresh apples.  And then I load up!  And I go crazy cooking with the fresh little beauties, too. 

One of my favorite savory dishes to make with fresh apples is this Apple Fried Rice, created by my Mom.  Yes, my Mom came up with this dish.  She's creative like that.  She made it a lot while I was growing up, and I adored it.

I just love the flavor that results from the combination of chopped apples, celery, and pecans.  It's ... well ... apple-icious!

I prepped my yummy fixins' for this rice on my personalized engraved chopping block ... a gift from my parents this past Christmas.  Isn't it cool??

If you're looking for the perfect gift for that foodie you know, these custom-engraved chopping blocks are a great idea!  The Kitchen is My Playground is proud to partner with cherryBLOX, makers of these gorgeous custom-engraved cherry cutting boards, to get the word out about their fabulous product.

With custom engraving, cherryBLOX make the perfect personalized gift ... for Christmas ... birthdays ... bridal showers ... weddings ... you name it.

See the beautiful engraving?

And just look how thick the board is ... perfect for chopping, or for serving.

Beautiful BLOX come in two sizes to meet all your chopping needs.

Visit cherryBLOX today to create yours!  It'll come in handy in prepping this yumm-i-licious Apple Fried Rice.

So, thanks, Mom! ... for both the super-cool personalized chopping block and for the super-tasty Apple Fried Rice recipe.

Now I'm off to eat an apple ... before they get too soft.

Apple Fried Rice

Source:  An original by my Mom

(Printable recipe)

Ingredients

• 3 c. cooked rice (about 1 c. dry)
• 3 T. butter
• 1/2 c. chopped onion
• 1/2 c. chopped celery
• 1 large apple, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans
• 1/4 c. chicken broth
• 2 T. soy sauce
• 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large saute pan over medium heat; saute onion and celery until tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add apples and pecans; saute for one minute.
2. Add rice and all remaining ingredients. Toss in the pan to heat through.

Enjoy!

Enjoy these other favorite side dishes from The Kitchen is My Playground ...

Savory Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes



Stovetop Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad