How to Make Easy Fried Rice

As simple as it sounds, Chinese fried rice is not too easy to duplicate at home. After MANY fried rice recipes I finally had come up with a VERY good version of my own. Super easy, incredibly cheap, and fantastically yummy! (Don't worry if you see the oyster sauce ingredient and don't like oysters. I don't like them much and it does not taste like oysters. See tips for a vegetarian fried rice option.) ***This fried rice recipie makes enough for 6 people with left overs. You can alter it accordingly depending on how many you are feeding.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 10c Steamed long grain rice
• 1 lb. Bacon
• 8 Eggs
• 3 small bunches Green onion
• 3-4 tablespoons Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand oyster flavored sauce

1. 
    
   steamed rice

   You will first need to cook your rice. You can use a rice cooker (which is easier and faster) or make it on the stove. Be sure to watch it carefully if you make in on a stove as not to burn the rice. After it is cooked, stir it thoroughly with a rice paddle the first time then occasionally as it cools to avoid clumping. Leave the lid ajar slightly so the steam can escape but not harden the rice. Making the rice a day in advance will ensure the rice grains from clumping and from having a sticky texture from the starch. Using the rice the same day is perfectly fine for fried rice (I do it all the time) if you don't have time to wait or you can put it in the refrigerator covered until you are ready to use it.

2. 
    
   eggs and green onions for fried rice

   Next you will need to cook your egg. It is good to do this in a large frying pan or skillet and for easy clean-up you can use the same pan to make the fried rice in if it is large enough. Scramble the eggs about four at a time and pour them into the pan on medium heat. Swirl them around the pan coating the entire bottom. Once they are about half way cooked, "scrape" them up and start chopping them slightly as they finish cooking. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Chop the green onions semi thinly. Set both aside.

3. Cut your bacon into bite sized pieces (about 1/2 an inch or so as it will shrink). In the same large pan, cook the bacon on medium high until brown. Spoon out all but about 2 tablespoons of the fat leaving the bacon in the pan.

4. 
    
   fried rice

   Scoop out your rice into the pan with the bacon and fold gently with the bacon on medium heat. Add the green onions and fold them in. Repeat with the eggs. This ensures proper distribution. Finally add the oyster sauce, drizzling it around the entire pan and fold well.

Tips & Warnings

• Making the rice a day ahead is the key to getting separated rice grains and non-sticky rice
• Stir your rice gently occasionally as it cools so avoid clumping
• You can substitute the bacon for chicken, pork, or beef or just add another meat and/or vegetables
• Panda Brand oyster sauce comes in various forms such as MSG free, low sodium, and even a vegetarian version
• For vegetarian fried rice, add stir fried vegetables chopped into bite-sized pieces instead of bacon and egg (if vegan)
• Don't stir the rice too roughly in order not to break the grains in your fried rice

[maryellen1001]

on 1/7/2009 Great recipe! Thanks!

[Pamelateda]

on 1/5/2009 I love fried rice, thanks!

[1kimmi]

on 1/3/2009 I love fried rice, got to try it this way. Thanks for sharing! 5*

[sharishops]

on 1/3/2009 Great instructions! Thanks!