If you know how to make fried rice, you will discover it is a simple but nutritious meal you can quickly prepare with a day’s leftover white-boiled rice. Fried rice, just like Jollof rice, is loved at special occasions and parties as a result of its versatility and variety of healthy ingredients that give it sumptuousness, color, and presentation. It is a delicious rice meal that has different versions of its preparation. It is an acceptable rule to have fried rice at your event and more often reserved for high-table personnel and other dignitaries.
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What is Fried Rice
Just like the name suggests, fried rice is a type of rice dish that goes through some frying process. It is a simple rice dish that is prepared with lots of veggies, protein, seasonings, and fat (oil). According to Wikipedia, Fried rice is a dish of cooked rice that has been stir-fried in a wok or a frying pan and is usually mixed with other ingredients such as eggs, vegetables, seafood, or meat. It is often eaten by itself or as an accompaniment to another dish.
Types of Fried Rice
Once you can get this complete basic recipe on how to make fried rice, other variations will be easy. You will only have to adjust the ingredients and seasoning to get the preferred fried rice. It is important to know there are different variations of fried rice. Different countries in Asia continents such as China, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and other parts of the world have their variations of Fried rice. In Nigeria and other West African countries, fried rice may also take different variations.
However, there is Nigerian fried rice, Asian chicken fried rice, coconut fried rice, and many more. If you are a rice lover, there are several ways you can experiment with your rice to produce different tastes and varieties. One such is making fried rice. Feel free to customize it with your favorite vegetables, protein, spices, and seasoning.
Best Places to Eat Nigerian Fried Rice
Most eateries and fast food restaurants serve fried rice as one of the offerings. Yet the fried rice of some of these eateries may not look or taste as good as the fried rice you will learn how to make in this complete basic guide.
How to Make Fried Rice
Here are a few important notes you should consider in making fried rice
The Rice
Rice, being the main ingredient, it is important you choose a good quality rice (have a pre-knowledge of the type of rice you want to use). Rice like Uncle Ben’s rice, My Food, and other quality Thailand or long-grain parboiled rice will do. The idea of this is to ensure the rice can cook up separately, fluffy with little or no stickiness.
The Color
One thing that fascinates me about Nigerian fried rice is its color. If I notice a poor color of fried rice, it doesn’t whet my appetite like it will do when the rice comes out colorful and of course tasty too. It is not like the color is what will be eaten but it’s expected you get everything about the meal right especially when it is served public. The ideal fried rice color is a light green color. There are many fried rice colorings in the market, but for this recipe, using curry powder and chicken broth is just okay. I particularly prefer this combination to get my unique fried rice color alongside the green veggies.
The Vegetables
The right match of a combination of vegetables like carrots, onions, sweet peas, green pepper, green bell pepper, running beans, spring onions, and sweet corn can not be avoided. However, you may choose to add only your favorites but a typical fried rice will contain a mix of all the vegetables listed here.
Protein
While growing up, the only protein aside from fried chicken we eat with our fried rice is the diced beef liver cuts. The liver meat well appropriated in the dish adds a meaty nice taste to the rice. This is why it’s a popular choice diced along with veggies. You can use shrimps or any other protein, or omit the protein completely if you are a vegetarian.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 3 tbsp oil for frying
- Medium-sized onion diced
- 1 cup mixed diced vegetables (Carrots, Sweet Peas, Sweet Corn and Green beans, green bell pepper, green pepper, running beans
- 1 tsp Curry powder
- 1 -2 chicken stock cube
- 1 cup beef liver (cubed)
- Salt to taste
Directions on How to Make Fried Rice
1. Prepare the Rice
If you have leftover white rice in the freezer, it is ideal to make fried rice (Cold rice grains are firmer and less likely to stick together when frying). If you don’t have leftover rice, you can cook fresh rice and let it cool down completely before using it. When you want to cook your fresh rice, add the chicken stock to the water you want to use to boil the rice (avoid beef stock, as it will affect the taste of the rice). Avoid over-boiling to prevent soggy fried rice. Once the rice is cooked enough, put it aside to allow it to cool off.
2. Prepare the Ingredients
Wash your vegetables thoroughly and dice them into small even-sized pieces. The liver should be seasoned a little and then diced in cube small cube sizes. Do the same with the onion as well.
3. Stir-fry the Vegetables and Protein
In a medium-sized pot or pan, preheat the oil on medium to high heat, add the diced onions, and fry until it becomes slightly translucent; add the prepared vegetables, curry powder, chicken stock cube, and salt. Add the beef liver cut and stir-fry for one minute.
4. Add the Cooled Off Rice
Add the cooked and cooled rice to the pan. Break up any clumps and with a wooden spatula, stir-fry on high heat for 3-4 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
5. Serve
Once everything is hot and well-mixed, transfer the fried rice to a serving dish and serve hot. You can eat with Moi-moi or fried plantain.
Fried rice is a great dish. Let’s hear your own variety in the comment section and when you plan to make the dish soon.
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