Master the art of stovetop fried rice: a beginner’s guide

Fried rice is a classic dish enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, making it a great way to use up leftovers. If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make fried rice recipe, look no further! This guide will teach you how to cook fried rice on the stovetop in just a few simple steps.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice, preferably day-old
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Instructions

1. Prepare the rice: If you don’t have any cooked rice on hand, you can cook it according to the package directions. Once the rice is cooked, spread it out on a baking sheet and let it cool completely. This will help to prevent the rice from becoming mushy when it’s fried.
2. Heat the oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add the vegetables: Add the onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic: Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
5. Add the rice: Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the rice is heated through.
6. Add the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, chicken broth, sesame oil, and black pepper. Add the sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has been absorbed by the rice.
7. Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the green onions. Serve immediately.

Tips for Perfect Fried Rice

• Use day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice will be too moist and sticky, which will make it difficult to fry.
• Heat the oil until it’s shimmering. This will help to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan.
• Cook the rice in batches. If you try to cook too much rice at once, it will be difficult to get it evenly browned.
• Don’t overcook the rice. Fried rice should be slightly chewy, not mushy.
• Add your favorite ingredients. Fried rice is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, meat, or seafood.

Variations

• Vegetable fried rice: Add your favorite vegetables to the fried rice, such as broccoli, carrots, snap peas, or corn.
• Meat fried rice: Add cooked meat to the fried rice, such as chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp.
• Seafood fried rice: Add cooked seafood to the fried rice, such as shrimp, scallops, or crab.
• Egg fried rice: Add beaten eggs to the fried rice. Cook the eggs until they are set, then stir them into the rice.

How to Store Fried Rice

Fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave the fried rice until it is heated through.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Can I use brown rice to make fried rice?
A: Yes, you can use brown rice to make fried rice. However, brown rice will take longer to cook than white rice.

Q: Can I make fried rice without soy sauce?
A: Yes, you can make fried rice without soy sauce. However, soy sauce is a traditional ingredient in fried rice and it adds a lot of flavor. If you don’t have soy sauce, you can substitute another type of salty sauce, such as oyster sauce or fish sauce.

Q: What are some other ways to flavor fried rice?
A: There are many ways to flavor fried rice. Some popular options include adding garlic, ginger, green onions, sesame oil, or sriracha. You can also add your favorite vegetables, meat, or seafood.