Serves4 (main course)
                    
                
                
                    
                        
                            - Active time:20 min
 
                        
                            - Start to finish:20 min
 
                        
                    
                
             
            
                
            
            
                
                
                
    
      
          
          
          
              
              
              
          
          
          
          
          
              
              
              April 2009
            
          
          
      
  
                
                
            
            
            
                Eggs and a container of leftover rice in the refrigerator mean that dinner can truly be last-minute. Salty country ham is an especially wonderful embellishment.
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                
                                    
                                        - 
                                            4
                                            
                                            jumbo eggs at room temperature 30 minutes
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2
                                            tablespoons
                                            water
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1
                                            teaspoon
                                            kosher salt
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2
                                            tablespoons
                                            vegetable oil
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            3
                                            oz
                                            country ham, chopped (1/2 cup; see cooks’ note, below)
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            5
                                            cups
                                            cold cooked jasmine or long-grain brown rice, crumbled to separate grains
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            6 to 8
                                            
                                            scallions, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1
                                            teaspoon
                                            Asian sesame oil
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                
                            
                         
                    
                 
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                                
                                
                                
                                    
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Whisk together eggs, water, and salt until combined well. 
                                         
                                    
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Heat a wok or 12-inch heavy skillet (not nonstick) over medium-high heat until hot. Add vegetable oil and ham and cook, tossing and separating pieces of ham, just until ham begins to darken, about 10 seconds. Add rice and toss to coat with oil. 
                                         
                                    
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Reduce heat to medium and cook, covered, stirring frequently, until rice is hot, 4 to 5 minutes.
                                         
                                    
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Stir in half of egg mixture and cook, tossing, until rice is well coated and eggs begin to cook. Make a well in rice and add remaining egg mixture. Cook, stirring eggs often but not incorporating rice, just until eggs are softly scrambled, then toss with rice. Stir in scallions and sesame oil.
                                         
                                    
                                
                             
                        
                    
                    Cooks’ note: If you can’t find country ham, prosciutto is a good substitute.