Fried Rice is a staple of Chinese cuisine and perhaps one of the most sensationally healthy dishes in the world. It's also a little tedious given the number of ingredients required for its build. And for those unfamiliar with Chinese Foods or who don't actually know how to cook, it would seem a whole lot easier just to order takeout instead.
Fortunately, modern innovation has produced marvels that make mastering a cuisine a lot easier than before. For those who have never partaken in preparing this dish, let alone consuming it, this revised recipe will help you to find out what you've missed out on and appreciate one of China's greatest innovations.
What's the deal with Fried Rice?
Fried rice can be traced back to almost 10,000 years ago in Southern China where the domestication of rice in Chinese cuisine was on the rise. it's believed that fried rice was an improvised method of controlling waste, which makes a lot of sense since cooked rice could become leftovers from meals, especially those served during events like banquets and weddings.
Today, Chinese fried rice has been adopted in many cultures outside of China — some have even developed their very own variations — and is typically served before dessert. Fried rice recipes are usually prepared by sauteeing them in a wok greased with vegetable oil or sesame oil. In build order, the ingredients used are vegetables, scrambled eggs, cooked rice and meat, soy sauce, and seasonings.
Fried rice made simple
Although Chinese fried rice seems simple considering most of the ingredients are prepared in the wok, it is still rather time-consuming. The rice and meat have to be cooked separately before they go through the sauteeing phase. Also, there are several variations that incorporate more ingredients depending on the country and/or culture.
Fortunately, simplified recipes don't require some, or even most, of the ingredients to qualify. As stated before, modern innovations have simplified the formulas for dishes by providing substitutes and combos to the ingredients being used. The recipe for Chinese fried rice below is the result of this revolution whereas it relies on processed ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Basmati rice, microwavable
- 1/2 green onion
- 6 oz bacon, diced
- 2 eggs
- 1 can (8 oz) mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, corn and green peas)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 or 4 drops soy sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- salt & pepper to taste
Directions
- Prepare the rice according to the ingredients. Set aside.
- In a wok, pour the oil and heat over a medium fire but don't let the oil bubble. Add the onions and stir for half a minute.
- Beat the eggs in a bowl. Pour the beaten eggs into the wok and scramble until dry with a spatula.
- Add the meat and mixed vegetables to the mix and stir-fry for 3 minutes,
- Add the finished rice into the wok, stir and combine well with eggs and vegetables for an additional 3 minutes.
- Add the soy sauce and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- Remove from the wok and serve
Serves four people for three meals.
