How to Prepare Easy Fried Rice

With its origins deeply rooted in Asian cuisine, fried rice has become a beloved staple around the world, offering versatility, customization, and a burst of savory goodness in every bite.

Tips for making fried rice

For an authentic fried rice experience, it is recommended to use any variety of long-grain white rice, such as regular long-grain rice, jasmine rice, or even basmati rice. These types of rice possess a lighter and fluffier texture, allowing the individual grains to remain separate when cooked.

However, the key to achieving the best fried rice lies not only in the rice variety but also in its condition before cooking. Ideally, day-old refrigerated rice is ideal for making fried rice. The process of cooling the rice helps to remove moisture, resulting in drier rice grains. This prevents the rice from sticking together and becoming mushy during the stir-frying process, which can occur when using freshly cooked rice.

Sprinkle some green onions, chopped cilantro, or sesame seeds on top of the fried rice for added freshness and visual appeal. Serve it hot as a delicious standalone dish or as a delightful accompaniment to your favorite Asian-inspired meals.

Ingredients

3 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 onion, diced

1 carrot, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

4 cups cooked white rice, preferably cold, day-old rice

1 cup frozen peas, defrosted

⅓ cup Shaoxing wine

2 tablespoon soy sauce, plus more to taste

White pepper, to season

Thinly sliced spring onions, to garnish

Procedure

In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat until it becomes very hot.

Add the well-beaten eggs along with a pinch of salt to the skillet. Stir the eggs continuously to create soft, fully scrambled curds, and cook them until they are fully cooked through. Once cooked, transfer the eggs to a clean plate and set them aside.

Using a wooden spatula, scrape off any bits of egg that may have stuck to the skillet, and place the pan back on high heat.

Add another tablespoon of oil, along with the diced onion and carrot. Sauté the mixture, stirring frequently, until the onions begin to soften and acquire a light golden color.

Next, add one teaspoon of vegetable oil, garlic, and ginger into the skillet. Mix everything thoroughly to combine, and continue cooking while stirring continuously for about 30 seconds.

Now, add the cold rice and defrosted peas to the skillet, ensuring they are well mixed with the vegetables and aromatic ingredients.

Spread the mixture out and gently press it into the pan, allowing it to cook for approximately 30 seconds. Stir the rice and repeat this process until it reaches a lightly golden color, which should take 2-3 minutes.

Return the cooked eggs to the pan and pour in the Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and white pepper. Stir everything together to combine the flavors. Continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.

For extra flavor, you can drizzle some additional soy sauce according to your taste preference. If desired, garnish the fried rice with green onions.