Ground Pork, Peas, and Rice Casserole

This is based on a great recipe from Ken Hom's book, Quick & Easy Chinese Cooking. He says, "This is a typical Chinese dish, designed to comfort, to satisfy, and to relax the body and soul. It reheats very well (when it is perhaps even tastier), and is a meal in itself. Serve it with a favorite salad, and you will have a spendid, complete meal."

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  cups long-grain rice
• 3  cups water
• 1⁄2 lb fresh peas, shelled or 1⁄4 cup  frozen peas
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  peanut oil
• 1  lb ground pork
• 1  tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1  tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1  tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1  tablespoon rice wine or 1  tablespoon dry sherry
• 3  tablespoons green onions, finely chopped

Directions

1. Add rice and water to a large, heavy saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Continue boiling for 10 minutes, or until most of the surface liquid has evaporated.
3. The surface of the rice will be uneven and look like a pitted crater. At this stage, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and set the heat to low.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the rest of the dish. If you went the fresh peas route, blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain, and set aside. Otherwise, thaw frozen peas at room temperature.
5. Add the oil to a heated wok or skillet. Add the pork and stir-fry for 1 minute, then add the peas, soy sauces, oyster sauce, and rice wine.
6. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, then add the green onions.
7. Place this cooked mixture on top of the rice, cover, and continue to cook over the lowest possible heat for another 15 minutes (rice will have cooked a total of 25 minutes).
8. Serve immediately, drizzling additional oyster sauce over the top of the casserole if desired.