Exotic Fried Rice Recipes

FRIED BROWN RICE

Steps:

• Brown rice is easy to cook. We have detailed instructions in our post on How to Make Perfect Brown Rice, either on the stove, or in any rice cooker.
• If you are making brown rice fresh the same day, let the cooked rice cool completely before using it. It's best to transfer the rice from the pot to a sheet pan and fluff it with a fork, so it can dry out and cool simultaneously.
• Day-old brown rice also works nicely, as cold rice clumps are drier and easily broken apart in the wok. Simply take the brown rice out of the refrigerator, wet your hands with a little water, and break up any clumps so you have individual rice grains. Rinse your hands with a little more water if rice sticks to your hands.
• If using beef, chicken, or pork, add 1 tablespoon water, 1¼ teaspoons dark mushroom soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil to the meat. Mix until all the liquid is absorbed by the meat to tenderize and add moisture. If you're using shrimp, just omit the dark mushroom soy sauce.
• Next, mix in 1 teaspoon cornstarch and set aside. We made a version with beef, but you can pick any meat of your choosing or go vegetarian with a vegetable fried brown rice.
• Mixing your sauce ahead of time is much easier than adding everything individually to a hot wok. In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons hot water and ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar until dissolved. Stir in ⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon MSG if using. Set aside.
• Heat the wok until just smoking. Spread two tablespoons of vegetable oil evenly around the wok, and add the beaten eggs. Turn the heat down and stir the eggs until scrambled. Transfer back to the same bowl, and set aside.
• Heat the wok until smoking. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the marinated meat to the wok. Spread it out in one single layer, and sear for 30 seconds on each side. Scoop it back into the bowl and set aside.
• With the heat on high, add the chopped onions to the wok (there should be some oil remaining from searing the meat). Cook until translucent. If using fresh carrots, add them at the same time you add the onions. If using frozen carrots, add them after the onions turn translucent.Continue stir frying until the carrots are heated through.
• Add the cooked brown rice. Your heat should be really high at this point to prevent sticking. Use your metal wok spatula to stir-fry the rice, scraping from the bottom of the wok to prevent sticking. This is an essential technique for fried rice.
• Once the brown rice is warmed (after 1 to 2 minutes of stir-frying), pour the prepared sauce evenly over the rice. Stir fry for another 1-2 minutes to evenly distribute the sauce.
• Add in the seared meat. Spread 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine around the perimeter of the wok, and give everything a quick stir.
• Next, stir in the scrambled eggs. Then, stir in the frozen peas until heated through. Toss in the chopped scallions and stir fry for another 15 seconds. Use a clean spoon to taste the rice, and re-season with more soy sauce or salt if needed.
• Plate and serve immediately.

CHENGDU-STYLE SICHUAN FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Place the jinhua ham in a heatproof bowl or plate. Heat up your choice of steaming device (e.g., an actual steamer pot, a wok with water and a metal rack, etc.), and steam the ham for 15 minutes.
• Remove from the steamer and cool. Chop up the ham and then mince it finely.
• Next, heat 5 tablespoons of oil in the the wok over high heat. Add the ham and stir fry until it's lightly crisped at the edges. Add the suimi ya cai and stir fry for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the scallions and stir-fry until the scallions get lightly blistered.
• Add the rice to the wok and stir fry to distribute the ingredients evenly. Spread the rice out in one layer and let "fry" for 2 minutes. Add the white pepper and Shaoxing wine. Stir the rice to combine.
• Spread out again and let the rice fry for another 2 minutes. Stir to combine, and spread it out and let it fry again. Next, drizzle the beaten eggs over the rice. Stir fry the rice, allowing the egg to cook and distribute throughout. Serve!

EXOTIC FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Add the rice to boiling water, then simmer for 15 minutes.
• Let sit 5 minutes then fluff, Once cool, cover and chill overnight.
• Put the chicken in a pan, add the coconut milk and cream, cilantro roots, lime zest and chile.
• Bring to a boil then simmer 10 minutes, until chicken is tender.
• Remove from heat, stir in the fresh basil and fish sauce.
• Next heat the oil in wok.
• Sir fry the rice for 3 minutes.
• Pour in the egg and stir until well cooked.
• Plate the rice, garnish with the chives and top with the chicken coconut sauce.
• Enjoy.

EXOTIC CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Add yogurt, lime zest and juice, salt, paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, white pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and allspice for marinade to a large mixing bowl; whisk to combine.
• Make one or two slits into each piece of dark chicken meat, down to the bone. Add chicken parts to the yogurt marinade and toss very thoroughly. Wrap in plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
• Grind saffron in a mortar with a pestle. Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth and stir to combine.
• Combine unsalted butter and salt in a saucepan; pour in remaining 2 cups chicken broth and chicken broth-saffron mixture. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add basmati rice and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and let simmer gently for exactly 15 minutes; do not disturb while cooking. Turn off the heat and let rest for 10 minutes.
• While rice is still hot, transfer into the prepared casserole dish. Use a fork to fluff the rice while gently spreading into an even layer. Place the chicken pieces, skin-side up, on top of rice. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Roast in the center of the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the centers and juices run clear, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• While chicken is in the oven, mix yogurt, garlic, green onions, mint, cilantro, salt, and water together for sauce. Reserve in the refrigerator until needed. Serve chicken and rice on a plate and top with sauce.

FRIED RICE RESTAURANT STYLE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine rice and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• In a small saucepan, boil carrots in water about 3 to 5 minutes. Drop peas into boiling water, and drain.
• Heat wok over high heat. Pour in oil, then stir in carrots and peas; cook about 30 seconds. Crack in eggs, stirring quickly to scramble eggs with vegetables. Stir in cooked rice. Shake in soy sauce, and toss rice to coat. Drizzle with sesame oil, and toss again.

EXOTIC FRIED RICE

Steps:

• 1. Add the rice to boiling water, then simmer for 15 minutes.
• 2. Let sit 5 minutes then fluff, Once cool, cover and chill overnight.
• 3. When ready to serve put the chicken in a pan, add the coconut milk and cream, cilantro roots, lime zest and chili.
• 4. Bring to a boil then simmer 10 minutes, until chicken is tender.
• 5. Remove from heat, stir in the fresh basil and fish sauce.
• 6. Next heat the oil in wok and stir fry the rice for 3 minutes.
• 7. Pour in the egg and stir until well cooked.
• 8. Plate the rice, garnish with the chives and top with the chicken coconut sauce.