Egg wrapped rice - it's a meal

Omurice is one of the super traditional Japanese foods that I was really weirded out by.  It is fried rice with ketchup mixed in, tucked inside an omelet.  So, basically, it consists of eggs, rice, ketchup.  Sometimes it also includes meat or seafood and vegetables, like carrots, onions, and mushrooms.  For the longest time, it just did not appeal to me.  Why did people eat it?  I had no idea.

I actually didn't eat omurice even once when I lived in Japan 17 years ago.  But shortly after my husband moved to the US, he made it for dinner.  I am of the belief that when someone cooks something for you, you should at least try it.  As soon as I put it in my mouth, I was hooked.  I've been eating it ever since.

My son is also a big fan.  He's been eating since he first started eating solid foods.

Omurice is one of those foods that is both a popular home cooked meal and restaurant food.  And it is very popular with kids and adults alike.

I see lots of kids menus featuring omurice.  Some restaurants even let kids roll their own.  It comes layered with the egg on bottom and rice on top.  Simply grab the paper and roll.  My son's favorite part is decorating the top with extra ketchup.

It is a super simple meal.  I highly recommend trying it out.

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Serves 2

3 1/2 ounces chicken thighs, cubed
1/2 onion, chopped finely
1 tablespoon green peas
3 tablespoons butter
2 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon beef bullion
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 cups cooked rice
Salt and pepper
4 eggs
1 tablespoon parsley

1. Put 1 tablespoon butter into a frying pan and heat on medium-high.  Add the chicken and chopped onion.
2. When the onion becomes tender, add the mushrooms and beef bullion.  Cook for one minute.  Stir in the ketchup.
3. Add the rice and mix.  Add the peas, salt, and pepper.  Transfer to a plate and set aside.
4. Beat 2 eggs with a little salt and pepper.  Heat 1 tablespoon butter (for 1 serving) in a frying pan over medium heat.
5. Add  the eggs, swirling the pan to coat.  While the center of the omelet is still soft, put half of the chicken rice in an oblong shape across the omelet.  Transfer to a serving plate by rolling the omelet out of the pan.  Repeat this step for the second omelet.
6. Garnish with the parsley and put some extra ketchup on the omelet.