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 Making perfect fried rice is simple, fast and a great way to use leftovers. Making meaty, spicy or vegetable fried rice uses the same technique and amount of time. Sure some fried rice recipes can be very elaborate like my Thai Cabbage Fried Rice (which is the best some people have ever had) but I also make it with leftovers on a pretty regular basis when I'm in a hurry.
The first thing you need is rice. Yesterday's rice is better for frying then today's and the day before that might be even better. However, you can still use that quick rice in a box or a pouch. When I do I much prefer the brown rice over the white and once it's made I spread it on a baking sheet and shove it in my freezer for 15 minutes or so. That way it dries out and gets a little crunchy. Not good for rice pilaf but good for frying. I've also been known to skip that part because I just didn't want to wait 15 minutes and no one complained.
Next you need ingredients. I like almost equal parts goodies to rice but depending on what's going with this I'll change it up a little. If I'm serving this as a main dish or the only thing I'm eating I tend to add more goodies and if I'm making it as a side dish to something else then I might use a little less. What options are there for goodies?
Common Vegetables
Onions, peas, carrots, chopped celery, mushrooms, bell pepper, jalapenos, leaks, green beans, zucchini, yellow squash, corn (off the cob please), lima beans, cabbage, bean sprouts, left over greens such as spinach and kale, cauliflower, broccoli and even tomatoes. I've even tried pineapples, pears, oranges and apples before.
When using vegetables that have a lot of water like spinach and zucchini you want to make sure that you cook them separately and get the moisture out first. Add your fruits at the last minute just to get them warm
Common Proteins
Chicken, shrimp, ham, sausage, turkey bacon, tofu, roast beef, luncheon meats, hot dogs, leftover hamburger, pork and of course eggs. I almost always manage to get an egg in my fried rice and if I don't I'll usually cook one separately and put it on top of my rice.
Often I prefer already cooked proteins to be added to my fried rice. If I have a fresh pork tenderloin, chicken breast or shrimp I'll usually cook it separately and server the fried rice on the side. That's up to you though and the recipe that you have. If you're just pulling he leftovers out then no need to worry.
Flavorings
It's hard to make a good fried rice without soy sauce, garlic and preferable ginger. Additions that are nice are hot pepper, sesame seed oil, toasted sesame seeds or fish sauce (gives it that Thai flavor).
Toppings are always nice
Cilantro, fresh basil or sage, cucumbers, chopped fruit, tomatoes (my favorite time to add them) and peanuts.
Time To Cook That Fried Rice
If you're making it for 1 or 2 people you can get away with a 12" nonstick skillet. If you're making it for 4 you need a wok although you might try a dutch oven but I'm not guaranteeing results. Let me know if you do.
Heat your pan and put in just a little oil. You shouldn't need much. Stir fry any wet vegetables like squash, spinach and what not. When it's done put it in a bowl and pour off any liquid before adding it back later.
If you're cooking any of you protein then now's a good time to do it. Sprinkle it with a little corn starch and soy sauce first. Mix it around to where things look a little sticky. Then toss it in a HOT pan with a little oil. Notice how I wrote HOT and not warm pan? Stir fry your proteins until done and put it in a bowl or on a plate.
Stir fry you other veggies such as onions, carrots and mushrooms. Add in other veggies based on how you like them cooked. For example I prefer celery almost raw so I put it in at the end but I like my mushrooms cooked well so they go in first.
Get them all cooked and when they're about ready toss in some garlic and ginger. Stir for about 30 second and then add the rice. Stir everything together and keep stirring for a minute. You want to hear the rice and dry it out. If you can get it browned then that's even better. After a few minutes make a hole in the middle and add eggs if you're using them. I let them sit there until they seem about 1/2 way done and then I mix everything together. Then I toss in the wet veggies and meat, add the soy sauce and stir for another 2 minutes or so.
Now is a good time to add some fresh herbs and sesame seed oil. Stir it around and then dump that rice into a big bowl. Top it with your toppings and you're good to go.
Now you're ready to clean out the fridge, dry out some rice and make a tasty meal out of stuff that you might have thrown away.
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