Use leftover meat in fried rice recipe

Dear Heloise: Some while ago, you gave a recipe in your column for an easy stir-fry rice. My recipe was lost in Hurricane Katrina. Would you be so kind as to repeat that recipe? —Bettie, Baker, La.

Happy to help! This is an old family recipe. Heloise's Fried Rice is also a money-saving hint, since it uses leftover meat to make a new meal!

1 cup uncooked rice (you can use more)

4-5 slices bacon (diced) and drippings

3-4 eggs

3-4 cut green onions (or scallions), tops and all

Leftover bits of pork, beef or ham chopped into small pieces (optional)

Soy sauce to taste

Cook and cool rice a day ahead (or use leftover), or at least earlier in the day. It's better if the rice has had a chance to dry out a bit. Brown the bacon in a heavy skillet until crisp. Remove bacon and turn down heat. Lightly beat eggs and pour them into the hot bacon drippings. Add rice and onions; mix together. Add bacon and leftover meat. Mix. Add soy sauce until the rice is as brown as you like it. Stir well and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes. —Heloise

Dear Readers: Here are three Heloise Hints for you to help you save on grocery bills:

• The Sunday paper has valuable coupons. Buy a second paper to get double savings.

• The store or generic brand can save a lot! Test against a name brand. Good quality? You'll save big-time.

• If fresh fruit goes bad quicker than you think it should, take it back. The grocery store usually will replace or refund. —Heloise

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Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; fax: 210-435-6473; e-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com. © King Features Syndicate Inc.