Fried rice is a popular staple food in many cultures, easy to make and adaptable to suit taste preferences. A basic recipe includes cooked rice, vegetable oil, onion, garlic, mixed vegetables, eggs, soy or oyster sauce, salt and pepper. The dish can be customised with added protein, spices, greens, nuts and hot sauce. Once the ingredients are in the skillet or wok, sautéed and scrambled, they are combined, fried and seasoned until heated through and crispy. Fried rice is versatile, filling and perfect for any meal of the day with endless variations to make it your own.
Fried Rice – A Versatile and Yummy Dish
Fried Rice is a popular staple food in many cultures around the world. This simple but delicious dish is easy to make and can be adapted to suit your taste preference by using a variety of ingredients. Whether you want to make it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, fried rice is always a perfect and satisfying meal. Here’s a step-by-step guide and recipe to make your own yummy fried rice.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 cups of cooked rice (preferably leftover rice)
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1 cup of mixed vegetables (e.g., peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Follow these simple instructions to make your own fried rice:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until tender.
- Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the other side.
- Pour the beaten eggs into the oil and scramble them until they are cooked through.
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir everything together until well combined.
- Add the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using) to the skillet and stir everything together until the sauce is evenly distributed.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and continue to stir-fry for another 3-5 minutes until everything is heated through and the rice is slightly crispy.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and let the fried rice cool for a few minutes.
- Serve the fried rice hot with your favorite garnishes (e.g., chopped scallions, sesame seeds, cilantro).
Variations
There are many variations of fried rice that you can try once you’ve mastered the basic recipe. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Meat: You can add cooked chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp to your fried rice for a protein boost.
- Spices: You can add spices such as ginger, chili flakes, or curry powder to your fried rice for an added kick of flavor.
- Nuts: You can add chopped peanuts or cashews to your fried rice for some extra crunch.
- Greens: You can add chopped spinach or kale to your fried rice for some added nutrition.
- Hot Sauce: You can add hot sauce to your fried rice to make it spicier.
Conclusion
Fried rice is a versatile and yummy dish that you can easily make at home using simple ingredients. Whether you want to make it for a quick breakfast or a filling dinner, fried rice is always a good choice. So go ahead and give it a try, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to make it your own!