Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for egg fried rice:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old, as it’s firmer)
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as peas, carrots, and bell peppers), diced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Spring onions or cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until fragrant and the onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Push the garlic and onion to one side of the skillet and pour the beaten eggs onto the empty side. Allow them to cook undisturbed for a few seconds until they begin to set, then scramble them until fully cooked.
- Add the mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until they are slightly softened.
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry the rice with the vegetables and eggs for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the rice to heat through.
- Drizzle the soy sauce (and sesame oil, if using) over the rice mixture, and toss everything together until evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Continue to stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated and heated through.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the egg fried rice to serving plates. Garnish with chopped spring onions or cilantro if desired, and serve hot.
Enjoy your homemade egg fried rice!
FAQs:
What is the secret ingredient in fried rice?
The secret ingredient in fried rice is often considered to be day-old rice. Using leftover rice that has been refrigerated allows it to dry out slightly, resulting in grains that are firmer and less likely to clump together during cooking. This helps achieve the distinct texture of fried rice.
How do Chinese restaurants make fried rice taste so good?
Chinese restaurants achieve the delicious flavor of fried rice through a combination of high heat, fresh ingredients, and the right seasoning. They typically use a hot wok to quickly stir-fry the rice and other ingredients, ensuring even cooking and a slightly charred, smoky flavor. Additionally, the use of soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings enhances the taste and aroma of the dish.
What is the trick to fried rice?
The trick to making excellent fried rice lies in a few key techniques. First, using cold, day-old rice helps prevent it from becoming mushy and allows it to fry up nicely. Secondly, ensuring the wok or skillet is very hot before adding the ingredients helps achieve that desirable wok hei, or “breath of the wok,” flavor. Finally, constant stirring and tossing of the ingredients during cooking ensure even distribution of flavors and prevent sticking.
How does Gordon Ramsay make fried rice?
Gordon Ramsay’s approach to making fried rice typically involves using high heat and fresh, quality ingredients. He emphasizes the importance of preheating the wok or skillet until it’s very hot before adding the ingredients. Ramsay often incorporates a variety of vegetables, proteins, and seasonings to create depth of flavor in his fried rice. Additionally, he stresses the importance of constant stirring and tossing to achieve the perfect texture and flavor profile.