Tinapa (smoked fish) fried rice

Except for some irritants, it’s been a great weekend and first day of the week. Sunday evening, Sam and I had time to talk — really talk — and, gee, my firstborn is no longer a child and I need to constantly remind myself of that. Then, Alex arrived with her friends, we talked theater until dawn and I had a swell time. Monday evening, we spent time with next-door neighbors over drinks and fantastic grilled food, I heard some really amazing coming-of-age stories, and here I am now, wearing a smile and thinking it is a good life despite the little bumps and unexpected turns.

A simple life, certainly, with a laid-back pace that is both incredibly mundane and unusual. Just like this simple comforting dish made with familiar ingredients but prepared in a surprisingly unfamiliar way.

Tinapa (smoked fish) fried rice

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Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 3 to 4

Author: CASA Veneracion

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/2 boneless tinapang bangus (smoked milkfish), flaked
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/4 cup fried shallots
• 4 cups day-old rice
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 1 pinch chili flakes

Instructions

• Heat the cooking in a wok or frying pan.
• Add the flaked tinapa and garlic; cook until lightly browned and crisp.
• Add the fried shallots and the rice. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and chili flakes, if using. Cook, stirring often, until the rice is heated through.
• Serve hot on its own or with your favorite meat, seafood or vegetable dish. I enjoyed my tinapa rice with oysters with adobo sauce.