Ground Beef Fried Rice with Crispy Fries

1Rinse the rice under cold water (2 cups) until the water (2 cups) runs clear to remove excess starch.

2In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and 2 cups of water (2 cups). Bring to a boil over high heat.

3Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water (2 cups) is absorbed and rice is tender.

4Remove from heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

5While the rice is cooking, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) for the French fries.

6Spread the frozen French fries (2 cups) on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (1 tablespoon) and toss to coat evenly.

7Bake the fries for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

8Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (1 tablespoon) in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

9Add the ground beef (½ pound) to the skillet and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt (½ teaspoon), 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, (¼ teaspoon) and garlic powder (½ teaspoon).

10Cook the beef, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.

11Drain excess fat from the skillet if necessary.

12Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the ground beef (½ pound). Stir to combine.

13Season the mixture with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt (½ teaspoon), 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, (¼ teaspoon) and soy sauce (½ teaspoon).

14Continue to stir-fry the rice and beef mixture for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to get slightly crispy on the bottom.

15Transfer the fried rice to serving plates.

16Top each serving generously with the crispy baked French fries.

17Serve immediately for the best texture contrast between the savory fried rice and crunchy fries.