Like pretty much everyone else in the Western world who wasn’t gifted with a NASCAR-like metabolism, I’ve had my share of experience with the various diet fads that come and go through our culture. Yes, I’ve tried the grapefruit diet. Yes, I tried the infamous Beyonce master cleanse diet. I even went back and found my mom’s Deal-a-Meal cards from the 80s and gave that a whirl. I don’t really need to explain how these forays into limited eating ended, do I? Of course not, you know as well as I do.

The one I kept coming back to, though, was what they now call the “keto” diet plan. Back in the day, we called it the Atkins diet, or just “low-carbing it.” Instead of filling your plate with potatoes, rice, oatmeal, and so on, you double up on eggs, chicken, steak, bacon, and all of that jazz. It is a distinctly unpleasant way to eat…but only for a week or so. Then something happens, and you start noticing that you’re not all that hungry anymore. Granted, it shares the same pitfalls as any other diet in that once you go off the rails, all the weight comes back, but I’ve had an easier time following it (sporadically) than any other so-called fad diet. Who knows, though. Maybe I’m just clogging up my internal works to fit in my jeans. Wouldn’t be the first bad life decision I’ve made.

When I’m NOT following keto, though, I love to get my hands into some carbs – particularly Chinese food! If you feel the same, and you’re looking for an excuse to eat something other than diced cauliflower, here’s my recipe for delicious fried rice. Hope you enjoy!

Here’s what you’ll need:

— 3 tablespoons of sesame oil

— 3 eggs

— Salt

— 2 diced carrots

— 3 sliced green onions

— 3 cloves of minced garlic

— 1 tablespoon ginger

— 4 cups of cooked white rice

— 3/4 cup of frozen peas

— 3 tablespoons of soy sauce

First things first: rice tends to “fry” more easily when it isn’t fresh out of the pot, so if you can use rice leftovers from the day before or cook your rice in advance so it can sit in the refrigerator for a while, do so for best results. Without the moisture from the cooking process, the rice will crisp up more effectively in the pan!

To make your meal, heat your large skillet on high for about two full minutes until it has gotten very hot. Add a tablespoon of sesame oil. Beat your eggs and add them and some salt to your skillet. Cook until you get fluffy curds – it should take about half a minute. Then remove everything in the skillet to a plate. Return the skillet to the hot burner and add in your other 2 tablespoons of sesame oil along with the carrots and the white slices of onion you have sliced. Cook this mixture for about two minutes and then add your garlic and ginger. Stir this for approximately a minute, and then we’ll finish up.

To complete the meal, add your rice, peas, and the cooked eggs you set aside previously. Pour in your three tablespoons of soy sauce and cook the whole thing for another minute or two. That’s it! Take the skillet off the heat, stir in what’s left of your onions, season to your liking, and you have fried rice fit for a king. Or a Chinese emperor.

Keto will still be there tomorrow, after all.