Making fried rice is a versatile and easy-to-follow process. Here's a basic recipe for making delicious homemade fried rice:
Ingredients:
1. Cooked rice (preferably cold or at room temperature)
2. Vegetables (e.g., diced carrots, peas, corn, bell peppers)
3. Protein (e.g., cooked and diced chicken, shrimp, or tofu)
4. Eggs (optional)
5. Soy sauce
6. Sesame oil
7. Vegetable oil or cooking oil of your choice
8. Garlic, minced
9. Ginger, grated (optional)
10. Green onions, chopped
11. Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preparation:
- Cook the rice ahead of time and let it cool down. Day-old rice works well as it tends to be less sticky.
2. Vegetables and Protein:
- Dice the vegetables and protein of your choice into small, uniform pieces.
- If using raw protein (e.g., chicken or shrimp), cook it in a separate pan with a bit of oil until fully cooked. Set aside.
3. Eggs (optional):
- Scramble the eggs in a bowl and cook them in the pan until just set. Set aside.
4. Stir-frying:
- Heat a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil.
- Add minced garlic (and grated ginger if using) to the hot oil. Stir briefly until fragrant.
- Add diced vegetables and stir-fry until they are tender but still crisp.
5. Rice and Protein:
- Add the cold or room temperature cooked rice to the pan. Break up any clumps and stir-fry to incorporate the vegetables evenly.
6. Sauce:
- Pour soy sauce over the rice and stir to combine. Add a few drops of sesame oil for flavor.
- If using cooked protein, add it to the pan and stir to combine.
7. Finishing Touches:
- Add the cooked scrambled eggs if you prepared them.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in chopped green onions.
8. Final Stir-Fry:
- Stir everything together and let it cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
9. Serve:
- Once everything is heated through and well-mixed, remove the fried rice from the heat.
- Serve immediately, and you can garnish with additional green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.