Chinese Fried Rice, or 炒米飯 (Chǎo Mǐfàn), is a beloved dish known for its versatility, simplicity, and delightful flavors. It’s a fantastic way to use leftover rice and transform it into a meal that’s both comforting and satisfying. Here’s how you can make this iconic dish at home, capturing the essence of Chinese cuisine.
Introduction
Fried rice is a staple in Chinese cooking, originating as a clever method to repurpose leftover cooked rice. Over time, it has evolved into countless variations across different regions. The key to exceptional fried rice lies in using day-old, cold rice, which fries up better than freshly cooked rice due to its lower moisture content. This dish is not only about technique but also about the harmony of flavors from simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of raw sushi rice, cooked fresh
- Hams, chopped up
- Roast beef, chopped up
- Raw shrimp, peeled and chopped up
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- carrots, finely chopped
- petite peas
- Green beans (French cut)
- mushroom
- 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable (or olive, sesame) oil
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- Optional: Cooked meat (like chicken, shrimp, pork, or beef), diced
Instructions
- Preparation:
- Ensure all your ingredients are prepped and within reach, as stir-frying is a quick process.
- For various vegetables, chop up into small fine pieces. The easiest way is to buy frozen ones so basically you don’t need to chop them up.
- Chop onions, raw shrimps, hams and roast beef into small fine pieces.
- Beat 3 eggs in a bowl, add a touch of salt and some black or white pepper. mix up well.
- Cooking:
- Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once oil reaches the smoking point, pour in the beaten eggs. gently stir until just set. Remove from the pan, and set aside.
- touch up with more oil in the wok. Add in French cut green beans, carrots and onions first. Keep stirring for a minute.
- Add in petite peas, add pepper and salt.
- Add in chopped-up shrimps, ham and roast beef. Continue to stir until shrimps turn pink before turning down to medium heat.
- Add in freshly cooked rice.
- Add in soy sauce, then mix them all up for a minute.
- Lower the heat to low-to-medium, and add in eggs. Use spatula to roughly chop up the eggs to small chunks. Stir and mix.
- sprinkle some chopped green onions before plating out.
- Serve:
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with additional green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
Tips for Perfect Chinese Fried Rice
- Rice: Many fried rice recipes call for cold, leftover rice for texture (such as at restaurants). Personally I prefer fresh rice even though it can feel more “sticky”.
- High Heat: Keep your wok or pan hot. The high heat helps to cook everything quickly without making it soggy.
- Customization: This recipe is highly adaptable. Feel free to add different vegetables, proteins, or even pineapple for a sweet twist.
- Avoid Overloading: Don’t add too many ingredients; it can make the rice heavy and less flavorful. Balance is key.
- Soy Sauce: Use light or regular soy sauce; dark soy sauce can be used sparingly for color but will make the dish too salty if overused.