Simple Chinese Fried Rice with Bold Spices and Flavor

Chinese Fried Rice with Bold Spices and Flavor Simple 

 Ingredients:

·        1 small onion, very finely chopped

·        2 cloves garlic, minced

·        1 cup mixed vegetables – carrots, peas, bell peppers, etc.

·        1/2 cup cooked chicken or shrimp or tofu

·        3 tsp soy sauce

·        1 tsp oyster sauce (optional)

·        1 tsp sesame oil, for flavor

·        1/2 tsp white or black pepper

·        Salt, to taste

·        2 green onions, chopped, for garnish

·        1 tsp rice vinegar, optional, for tanginess

     ·        1/2 tsp sugar, optional, to balance

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

Rice: 

Use leftover rice, or cook fresh rice and refrigerate it. Cold rice is the best to make fried rice as it doesn't clump together.

Vegetables & Protein:

 Dice up your vegetables and protein into small, equal-sized pieces for even cooking.

2. Cooking the Eggs:

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add well-whisked eggs and cook them to a scramble, breaking them down into small fragments with the spatula. Remove the eggs from the pan and set them aside.

3. Sauté Aromatics:

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same pan.

Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until they are fragrant and the onions become transparent, about 1-2 minutes.

4. Cook Vegetables and Protein:

Stir mixed vegetables into the pot and cook 3-4 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.

Add the cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu in the pan if you are using it. Mix everything again for another 2 minutes.

5. Add the Rice:

Turn the heat to medium-high.

Add in cold rice, working on the lumps. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes, ensuring that it's distributed evenly and gets heated through and lightly crisped.

6. Season:

Add soy sauce and oyster sauce, if using, then stir to coat rice well with these new additions.

Add sesame oil, pepper, and salt to taste. Stir everything together, ensuring the rice is well-flavored.

7. Combine Everything:

Now scramble and mix the cooked eggs back in the pan well with the rice and other mixture.

Love a little acidic kick and flavor balance? add in a dash of rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar. Toss everything for another minute.

8. Serve with Garnish:

Now sprinkle some green onions finely chopped.

Serve hot and relish eating these delicious homemade Chinese Fried Rice!

Great Spice Mix:

Soy Sauce: Light soy sauce is going to be salty and do the work for umami, while dark soy sauce kicks up color and deeper savoriness for more full-bodied taste. White or Black Pepper: White pepper is so commonly used in Chinese cooking because it only imparts mild heat and earthiness. Black pepper does the trick if you want a bit more of a kick.

Oyster Sauce:

Adds a touch of subtle sweetness and depth. It can be left out if you like to keep things simple.

Sesame Oil:

 Gives the rice a nutty fragrance and aroma. Add toward the end of the cooking to keep it fragrant.

Rice Vinegar & Sugar:

 It evens out flavors, giving that slight tang and sweetness.

Feel happy to have given this recipe for fragrant, flavorful balanced Chinese Fried Rice. Seasoning is to taste!