Bacon Mango Fried Rice

When people think of brown rice, they often think “bland and boring”.  But, it can be so much more than that.  Brown rice is a great source of B vitamins and the mineral, selenium.  Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight certain cancers.  Ok, so we still haven’t addressed the issue of taste.  While rice alone can be a little bland, adding other healthy items to it can be a great way to boost the flavor! Since May is the month we focus on orange foods, it’s a great time to talk about mangos! Mangos are a great source of vitamins A and C, both important antioxidants in the body.  One recent study has even noted that eating some varieties of mangos helps inhibit cancer cells by up to 72%!  Not sure how to pick a mango?  This is one of those fruits that you cannot count on its color to indicate how ripe it is.  Instead, give the mango a gentle squeeze.  A ripe mango will give slightly, similar to the way an avocado will give.

Now that you have your mango and brown rice, let’s add in a little bacon (yes, you read correctly…bacon!).  This is a fun and unique way to enjoy some rice and mango.  If you want to turn this into a meal, simply add some grilled chicken!  Yum!  An easy and delicious meal or side dish!

Bacon Mango Fried Rice

Ingredients:

5 strips of bacon, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces

1 mango, peeled and diced

4 cups day-old cooked brown rice

Chives for garnish, optional but very nice

Directions

1) Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, add chopped bacon and saute until almost crisp (5-6 min). Skim off excess fat, leaving about 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp in the pan. 

2) Add diced mango and saute 2-3 min over medium heat until caramelized.

3) Stir in the day old rice until well combined and cook until heated through (2 min). Serve garnished with green onion if desired. 

We can help you eat more fruits & vegetables! Fruits & Veggies--More Matters is a health initiative focused on helping Americans increase fruit and vegetable consumption for better health. The program is spearheaded by Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), a nonprofit organization that has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to help spread the word about the health benefits of adding MORE fruits and veggies to your diet. Products and recipes that carry the logo must meet strict nutrition criteria. These standards are set by CDC, the leading public health authority for the brand, to ensure products and recipes promoting the brand offer an overall healthy nutrient profile.