Sesame Fried Rice Blog
The latest in the series of blogs from our Community Chef Iain McLellan is how to make Sesame Fried Rice. In this blog, we will go through the process step by step and each step will be accompanied with a video to show you exactly what to do.
For this, you will need maybe a few things, not in your store cupboard but I think they should be available. Also, all the ingredients in this dish can be used in many other ways….in these times would be a good addition to your store cupboard.
Rice
Long grain rice like basmati rice is good. If necessary, you could you the pre-cooked microwave rice packets (if using follow instructions on packet then add at the same time as cooked rice would be in the recipe.)
Toasted Sesame Oil
This is a great product and is the magic ingredient in fried rice! One of its qualities is that it has a very high smoke point meaning that you can heat it up to high temperatures without it burning….perfect for frying rice.
Soy Sauce
I prefer to use dark soy if possible but any soy sauce will do. Different soy sauces taste very different so I suggest through time try different ones.
Chinese Five Spice
Definitely one to have in the cupboard it goes well with so many things and is very versatile.
Anything else that you add will depend on what you have or like. You can add garlic, ginger, chilli, spring onion, garden peas, egg, these are my favourites.
If adding the egg simply beat two eggs with a touch of milk and make an omelette but don’t overcook it as will be reheated in rice later. You can use sesame oil to make the omelette and add a pinch of Chinese five-spice in the egg mixture. Season with salt after cooked.
Cooking the rice- this is the most important stage in the dish and the trickiest. The key is in the first stage of cooking.
- Use about 90g of rice per person (give the rice a rinse with cold water) and put in a pot with cold water 300ml and teaspoon of salt. Put on a medium heat with a lid, when the water has come to the boil reduce heat so that it is at a simmer for 10 minutes.
- Try a grain of the rice and you want it to be slightly firm in the centre. Check every 2 minutes until the rice is at that stage.
- Drain into a colander then rinse cold water through rice two times then finally drain in a colander. We are trying to stop the cooking process.
- When the rice has sat in the colander for 10 minutes get a tray that fits in your fridge and a clean tea towel see picture. The idea is that we want the rice to be as dry as possible so that it fry’s well. Put the tray in the fridge uncovered to help achieve this until required.
Prepare anything else you are going to add garlic, ginger, chilli, spring onion, garden peas, egg, these are my favourites. Ginger and chilli should be finely chopped and garlic can be more roughly chopped.
For best results cook one portion at a time.
It is important to get properly set up as the cooking process is quick and you want all ingredients to hand.
- Have your rice in a bowl with a large spoon in it ready to cook
- Garlic, chilli, ginger, sliced spring onion in a small container
- Cooked omelette sliced up
- Frozen peas in a container
- Soy sauce, sesame oil, Chinese five-spice and salt near the cooker
Again for best results cook one portion at a time.
The heavier the base of your wok or frying pan the better, a heavy base means that when you start adding the ingredients the wok or pan doesn’t cool down as much.
When you are ready to go put your wok the highest heat and let it get very hot before adding sesame oil. Add about 4 to 6 Tablespoons of sesame oil then when you start to smell sesame start cooking….be quick but careful as oil very hot!
1. Garlic, ginger, chilli, spring onion and a pinch of Chinese five-spice cook 1 minute
2. Add a portion of rice and give a quick mix – when you add the rice it will crackle a little bit initially but will settle down, this is why you want dry rice
3. Press rice down into the wok with big spoon or ladle, drizzle another 2 tablespoon sesame oil over the top, don’t touch for 1 minute
4. Use your ladle or spoon to move the rice around, trying to separate the grains.
5. Add the peas and omelette and give another mix and don’t touch for 1 minute.
6. Remove from heat add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and a pinch of salt, mix well and taste. Add more soy sauce to your taste.
This recipe can be adapted to include stir-fried vegetables, a fried egg, prawns, any leftover meats. Once you can make the fried rice you can experiment will flavours and combinations.
You can watch the full version here – How to make Sesame Fried Rice.
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