Use cold, leftover cooked rice. Left in the fridge overnight, the rice grains will firm up, making it easier to separate and decreasing the chances of your fried rice turning out mushy. If you can’t wait, air freshly cooked rice to remove moisture and refrigerate the rice for a few hours before cooking.
How do you dry rice for fried rice?
Drying the freshly cooked rice by spreading it on a tray and putting it under a fan for one hour does the trick. Kenji’s recommends this method (even more than day old rice!) If you don’t have an hour to wait, you can spread still hot rice on a tray and let the surface moisture evaporate.
Do you need to boil rice before frying it?
No additional water or liquid is required to complete the cooking process because the rice has already been precooked in liquid. Frying previously cooked rice is much quicker than frying uncooked rice and it is also an excellent means for using up leftover rice.
Do you rinse rice for fried rice?
Rule #3: Rinse the Rice
Nobody likes clumpy fried rice. If you are cooking your rice from raw in order to make fried rice, make sure to rinse off excess starch first. A quick dunk and shake in a bowl of cold water, or a 30-second rinse under a cold tap while agitating the rice, is plenty.
What is the fastest way to cool rice for fried rice?
The key to fresh rice is allowing it to cool slightly before using it. The cooling process can quickly be done by spreading the rice on a sheet pan at room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes if you’re impatient like me. The rice should be cool to the touch before adding it to the pan.
How do you dry rice after washing it?
In other words, if you’ve washed your rice you should aim to cook it as soon as you can to prevent it from getting moldy:
- Leave your washed rice to drain in a sieve.
- Spread the rice on a paper towel and pat it dry using other paper towels.
- Use this rice for cooking as soon as possible.
Why do you fry rice before cooking?
It helps your rice to cook up into separate grains. While you’re at it, it also adds some flavor to the rice, by caramelizing some of the starches. Plus, it adds oil, which can carry flavors of its own and help distribute fat-soluble flavors in the other ingredients.
Can you deep fry raw rice?
Heat the oil in a deep fryer or tall-sided pan until it reaches around 325 degrees Fahrenheit, as measured by a deep-frying or candy thermometer. Deep-fry the rice pieces one at a time, leaving plenty of room around each, until they are crispy and golden-brown. Drain them on absorbent paper towels.
How do you know when fried rice is done?
Cook until they’re tender, about two to three minutes. 3. Add the cooked meat, and cook it for a minute or so to let it crisp up.
How do you make fried rice without day old rice?
If there’s no day-old rice in the house, don’t freak out—just turn to the freezer. Make a batch of rice and spread it in a thin layer on a sheet tray. Put the tray in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes (this keeps the grains from clumping), then portion out the rice into individual freezer bags.