Fried rice is a general favorite of anyone who’s ordering take-out. It’s actually the easiest dish to make since the purpose of fried rice is to use up all the leftover rice. So the 2 main points to remember are.
- It’s fried rice, not rocket science. Don’t take it seriously.
- Rice that has been just prepared will NOT work. It must be dry.
The standard fried rice generally has scrambled eggs, peas, garlic, ginger, and scallions. You can add anything you’d like to it. I’d recommend pineapples because it adds an unique sweetness. Whatever you add, you must make sure that it is cooked first, taken out of the pan, and added after the rice is heated. If you’re a hopeless cook, here are specific instructions.
1. Prepare and cut all the vegetables and meat you’d like to add to the rice
2. Cook the scrambled eggs, making sure it is not overcooked and still quite yellow. Take the scrambled eggs out of the pan and put it aside.
3. Add about two tablespoons of oil (any type) and add minced garlic.
4. If you are cooking meat, add the meat first, also making sure you’re cooking it until it is 80% cooked. You don’t want to overcook the meat because it’ll get dry. Take the meat out and put it aside.
5. Sautee the vegetables and add more oil if necessary. Take them out when they are cooked and put them aside.
6. Add more oil to the pan. Wait until it is blazing hot and add the rice. Cook it for 2 minutes or until warm.
7. Add all the ingredients and mix well.
8. Salt and pepper to taste.
Many people like to season in the beginning, but I like to season at the end. Sometimes I don’t even season because I’m satisfied with the flavor. It is also easier to adjust seasoning at the end.
Some people also like their fried rice with soy sauce. Soy sauce should always be added at the end. If soy sauce is added, no additional salt should be used. That stuff has enough sodium as is.
That’s about it- one of the most simple yet tasty Chinese dishes.
Picture a courtesy of bbcgoodfood.com.
You should also check out:
- Mi Fen (米粉) [Fried Rice Vermicelli]
- Asian Scrambled Eggs and Shrimp
- Wild Mushroom & Garlic Butter Pasta
- Pasta Carbonara
- Sweet & Sour Spare Rib Pops
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
HI JESSIE
wow whenever I make fried rice I do everything that you say not to… lol
I cook the rice right before (because I nevre have old rice)
I always leave everything in the pan to cook together
(of course adding them in the proper order – although sometimes I add in mushroom with the meat to get the water out)
and adding the egg at the end
and seasoning with soysauce and a bit of salt
LOL
I suppose I like rice so much I generally think anything with rice is yum :]