For most people who are new to cooking, making delicious fried rice is a whole ordeal. Especially from the stress associated with countless failures.
Do not give up in any case. As they say - your grandmother was not born knowing how to do that either. Everything can be achieved, as well as making delicious fried rice your specialty.
It is very important to know that before the rice is fried, it must be thoroughly washed under running water so that its starch is removed from it. It acts as a binding agent and if you don't wash it off, the rice grains will turn into a sticky, stringy mess.
Washing the rice is best done in a colander, which you then set aside for about an hour to drain.
How to fry rice
Frying the rice takes place in highly heated fat, stirring it until it acquires a glassy appearance. Some people also add a little acidic liquid like vinegar, white wine, or lemon juice, which also prevents the grains from sticking together.
When the rice has reached the desired glassy appearance and has become translucent, you can either add lightly salted water (rice:water ratios depend on the type of rice itself and are usually indicated on the rice package) and continue to stew it on the stove (covered and on low heat) or transfer it into a baking pan and put it in the oven.
In the oven, it will be ready in about 20-25 minutes after boiling (this again depends on the type of rice), but don't forget to cover it with a towel when you take it out and let it "rest" like that for about 10 minutes. Our favorite dishes like chicken with rice, mushroom with rice, leeks with rice, etc. are usually prepared this way.
How to Make Chinese Fried Rice
No matter where you are in the world (with few exceptions), there is probably not a Chinese restaurant near you that you haven't visited. Because Chinese rice is something irresistible and you probably even wonder if you can prepare it at home too.
The truth is, you can, as long as you know some subtleties regarding its preparation. The secret of authentic fried rice is that it is pre-boiled and only then fried. Preferably in a wok pan or other suitable pan, but with a cast iron cover.
And the other secret is that a solid amount of monosodium glutamate is added (found in all-purpose soup seasonings), which is already known to be harmful - especially to children.
But let's get back to the topic. If you don't use it often and it's best to avoid spices containing sodium glutamate altogether, you can prepare Chinese rice with a clear conscience.
To prepare delicious Chinese fried rice, it is good to use jasmine rice for the purpose. Like all other types of rice (we remind you that if you do not have jasmine rice, you can use another type of rice, as long as it is long grain), it must be washed in a colander under running water beforehand. The longer you wash it, the better. Let it drain well, then drop it into lightly salted and boiling water. The amount of water depends on the type of rice and should be indicated on the package.
After the rice boils, stir it once and lower the heat to a minimum and cook it covered until fully cooked. Carefully pour it into a tray and let it cool, then put it in the fridge for a few hours.
The last step is frying the rice, which is done in very hot oil and with continuous but careful stirring. Vegetables of your choice are also added, and why not even meat? The finishing touch comes with the addition of, you guessed it, MSG.
But it really turns out to be very delicious Chinese fried rice, which we recommend eating with bamboo sticks and generously drizzled with soy sauce.
Read more:
- Tricks for perfectly cooked rice;
- Seasonings for rice.
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