Rice: A Practical Ingredient

Rice A Practical Ingredient
Image source: 30minsmeals

Rice is one of those ingredients you find everywhere you go. Some restaurants often have a rice dish offered on the menu. And it is a must in almost all houses’ shopping lists. People always have a package or two in their pantry and use it practically at every meal.

Rice´s popularity is unquestionable. This is of little surprise since multiple rice features have made it possible to use rice in countless recipes.

The wide variety of rice dishes around the world is immense. There are sugary and salty preparations, rice stuffing, sweet snacks, beverages, and alcoholic drinks. In some of these preparations, rice is only a complement; in others, it is the main component.

Rice Multiple Uses

Because of its versatility and mild flavor, this grain can be paired with almost everything to create delicious food each time. It does not matter whether it is a bowl of plain rice as a side dish or more elaborated preparations with thousands of ingredients; rice dishes will always be a winning option.

Cooked, steamed, fried, soaked, and more, rice works perfectly in any form. Even if you have some rice left from a previous meal, you can cook a delightful dish.

Leftover rice is the perfect ingredient for cakes, puddings, stuffing, omelets, fried rice, and much more. Most leftover rice preparations taste even better with two-day-old rice. That is the case with the famous fried rice.

Original fried rice is a comforting Asian dish with many variations. People have created different versions each time they cook it, making a new dish every time.

The Best Fried Rice

Fried rice is, without question, an Asian creation, specifically a Chinese preparation. The history locates its origin during the Sui dynasty, back in 589 – 618 AD, in Yangzhou, China.

The first fried rice was created when Chinese people had some rice, meat, and vegetables remaining for the last meal. These leftovers were still good for eating but didn’t make a complete meal.

The solution was to combine them in a frying pan and add some soy sauce, garlic, and lard. This way, leftovers became a different meal with a firm texture and exquisite flavor.

Basic fried rice is simply a bowl of rice, meat, vegetables, egg, soy sauce, and garlic. All ingredients are stir-fried with cooking oil in a wok or frying pan at high heat.

It is a traditional dish in countries of South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Variations of the basic recipe depend on the typical ingredients of each region. Meat included is also a distinguishing feature of fried rice.

In India, a rice and shrimp recipe is something quite common.  This fried rice is seasoned with tons of curry powder.

In Japan, the dish includes onion, garlic, shiitake, tofu, pork, and seafood, seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and katsuobushi. Korean fried rice is seasoned with gimgaru and sesame oil.

In Indonesia, it may contain chicken, fried egg, prawn crackers, and vegetables with flavors of sweet soy sauce and ground shrimp paste.

Cooking Your Fried Rice Version

Fried rice is considered the most popular rice dish. People tend to follow recipes, but, in the end, they end up making their version of this exquisite food. They choose which ingredients are more tasteful or pair with their personal taste.

Fried rice is a versatile preparation that you can make a new version each time. You can use fresh vegetables or any other leftover ingredient in your fridge.

Whether you follow a recipe or make your own, rice is the most important and indispensable ingredient. For making a successful dish, it is essential to use leftover rice one or three days old. 

To give you some ideas, try the following recipe.

Chinese Fried Rice
Image source: HolyCowVegan

Chinese Fried Rice

Ingredients (4 servings):

  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
  • 2 minced cloves of garlic.
  • 1 cut Chinese lap Cheong sausage.
  • 2 beaten large eggs.
  • ½ cup of cooked diced carrots.
  • ½ cup of chopped onion.
  • ½ cup of frozen peas.
  • 2 cups of overnight steamed rice.
  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon of fish sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce.
  • White pepper and salt to taste.
  • Finely chopped spring onion for garnish.

Preparation:

  1. In a large frying pan or wok, add the vegetable oil and heat at a high temperature.
  2. Incorporate garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add Chinese lap Cheong sausage, and sauté until golden.
  4. Incorporate beaten eggs, trying them to be in small pieces.
  5. Add carrots, onions, peas, and rice. Combine all very well.
  6. Pour soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce), white pepper, and salt.
  7. Mix all ingredients vigorously.
  8. Stir-fry for two minutes or until rice is toasty.
  9. Try and correct salt and pepper.
  10. Serve immediately with chopped spring onion at the top.

Fried rice is a complete meal that is served alone. If you want to give an extra side dish, dumplings, egg rolls, or tofu are good options.

 

Fanti Tukuwei
I'm a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle enthusiast, and the ultimate curves queen. Here, I share beauty, fashion, and lifestyle tips to teach, inspire, and give confidence to all women.