Fried Rice with Yum Yum Sauce

I have always loved hibachi style food.  It is the ultimate treat for me.  There is nothing better than fresh fried rice cooked right in front of you, perfectly seasoned grilled shrimp and honey chicken that has just the right amount of crisp on the outside and tenderness on the inside.  Don't even get me started on the filet mignon that is practically like eating a stick of butter...in a good way.  A really good way. 

 Even though I can't completely recreate the atmosphere and flavors of true hibachi, this comes pretty close to the fried rice and yum yum sauce they make at a hibachi restaurant.  So if you're a fan of the food, but want to save your pennies, or avoid the chance of sitting next to someone you don't know while you eat in front of a flaming tower of onions - try this.  

Yum Yum Sauce

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cup Mayonnaise

¼ cup water

1 teaspoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon melted butter

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon sugar

¼ teaspoon paprika

Dash of cayenne pepper

Directions: 

Whisk all ingredients together thoroughly until well mix and the sauce is smooth.  Refrigerate overnight to blend the flavors.  Serve at room temperature with fried rice. 

Fried Rice

Ingredients:  

3 Tbsp. butter, divided

2 eggs, whisked

2 medium carrots, peeled and diced

1 small white onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

salt and pepper

4 cups cooked and chilled rice

3 green onions, thinly sliced

3-4 Tbsp. soy sauce, or more to taste

1 tsp. fish sauce (optional)

1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil

Directions: 

Heat 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Add egg, and cook until scrambled, stirring occasionally. Remove egg, and transfer to a separate plate.

Add an additional 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and heat until melted. Add carrots, onion, and garlic, and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes or until the onion and carrots are soft. Increase heat to high, add in the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter, and stir until melted. Immediately add the rice, green onions, soy sauce and fish sauce (if using), and stir until combined. 

Continue stirring for an additional 3 minutes to fry the rice. Then add in the eggs and stir to combine. Add the sesame oil, stir to combine, and remove from heat.

Recipe adapted from Gimme Some Oven