Chinese fried rice is a classic dish that has been enjoyed for generations. This dish is made by stir-frying rice with a combination of vegetables, eggs, and meat or seafood. The key to making perfect fried rice is to use leftover rice that has been refrigerated overnight. This allows the rice to dry out slightly, resulting in a texture that is perfect for stir-frying.
How To Make:
To begin, heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add a small amount of oil and swirl to coat the surface of the work. Add any meat or seafood that you are using and stir-fry for a few minutes until cooked through. Remove the meat or seafood from the wok and set aside.
Next, add a little more oil to the wok and add any vegetables that you are using. Common vegetables for Chinese fried rice include diced carrots, peas, and green onions. The vegetables should be stir-fried for a few minutes until they are crisp-tender.
Push the vegetables to one side of the wok and crack in a few eggs. The eggs should be well scrambled before being combined with the veggies.
Add the leftover rice to the wok and stir-fry everything together. Use a spatula to break up any clumps of rice and evenly distribute the vegetables, eggs, and meat or seafood throughout the dish.
Finally, add any sauces or seasonings that you like. Soy sauce is a classic seasoning for Chinese fried rice, but you can also use oyster sauce or hoisin sauce for added flavor. Stir-fry everything together for a few more minutes until the rice is heated through and the flavors have melded together.
Serve the Chinese fried rice hot, garnished with additional sliced green onions or chopped cilantro, if desired. This dish is perfect as a main course or as a side dish to accompany other Chinese dishes such as stir-fried vegetables or sweet and sour pork. Enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
Tips:
Use cold, cooked rice: Fried rice is best made with day-old or cold rice because it has less moisture and can withstand the high heat of the wok without turning mushy.
Prep your ingredients: Chop all your ingredients ahead of time so they are ready to go when you start cooking.
Use high heat: To get that classic wok flavor and texture, cook the fried rice on high heat.
Don't overcrowd the pan: If you add too much rice to the pan at once, it will lower the temperature and make the rice steam instead of fry.
Use a wok or large skillet: A wok or large skillet provides enough surface area to spread out the rice and cook it evenly.
Add soy sauce and sesame oil for flavor: A splash of soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil can add a lot of flavor to the dish.
Variations:
Shrimp fried rice: Add cooked shrimp to the dish for a protein boost.
Vegetable fried rice: Use a variety of vegetables such as carrots, peas, corn, and broccoli for a vegetarian option.
Pineapple fried rice: Add diced pineapple to the rice for a sweet and savory twist.
Egg fried rice: Scramble a few eggs and add them to the rice for added protein and texture.
Kimchi fried rice: Mix in some kimchi for a spicy and tangy version of fried rice.
Curry fried rice: Add some curry powder and coconut milk for a fragrant and flavorful variation.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old or cold)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a wok or sizable skillet, heat the vegetable oil over high heat.
Add the onion, carrots, and peas and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
For another 30 seconds, stir-fry after adding the minced garlic.
Place the beaten eggs on the other side of the wok, pushing the vegetables to one side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them with the vegetables.
Add the cooked rice to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.
Add the soy sauce and sesame oil to the rice and mix well.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Note: You can add any additional ingredients or variations to this recipe, such as cooked shrimp, diced ham, or diced pineapple. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times and seasoning accordingly.