SHRIMP FRIED RICE

We all know that when cooking, we use multiple tools in our kitchen, including those frying pans that get hot enough to be used for baking. These will be the pan that’s been used throughout this article. If you want some inspiration from these, you can watch Chef Bob Eger’s cooking show “The Perfect Recipe” on YouTube. The episode features his favorite foods, so he gets real into it.

What You Serve

One of the most popular items in fried rice is the shrimp. It’s often eaten in the form of fried rice in many Asian countries and has become very popular over the years — in fact, according to some data, people eat more fish than they do meat or vegetables. You should definitely add some shrimps into your dish because fried rice has a bit of a protein punch after its long cooking time, and the flavor of their eggs are also pretty sweet. It’s a great way to balance that sweet and sour flavors from the rice and egg mixture.

You could also try adding in either black pepper or shallots, which are both wonderful with fried rice because they have an umami flavor. Shallots also complement the sweetness of your eggs, so they actually complement each other. Just as important for this item you need to buy red onions instead of green onions. I like when my parents cook, so I always look at them. That way, you won’t miss out on that extra-sweet crunchiness.

In terms of ingredients, you want to go with just what you can get your hands on, but don’t worry, there are plenty of options to choose from. One thing I look for is kohlrabi, which will help give this rice its distinctive burst of flavor. You could go even further by going to Thailand for these things too. They say that kohlrabi makes your food really spicy, and that’s true for me, that’s not all. Also, if you’re buying rice, buy white rice, just like white pasta. They are super thin, while red rice, which is usually much thinner, gives you a richer flavor. You can go for Japanese rice, the same way you would Italian. And they also say kohlrabi makes your food crispy, right? Well it does, and it has the added benefit of having fewer preservatives. Plus, it’s one of the least expensive ingredients you could add to your dish. Don’t forget that a little goes a long way and you may end up with something more substantial than what you start off with.

Here are eight recipe ideas for how to fry rice that you could incorporate into your own meals. Here are the steps for making fried rice!

Let’s break down some of the best fried rice recipes out there. Some of these are simple, others require more work to get them ready. All are perfect for any occasion.

Mushrooms on top

There’s nothing like a piece of fried rice topped with roasted mushrooms. Not only is it tasty, but it also adds a great depth to your dish, especially when the rice is crispy-crunchy. To get the best flavor try roasting the capsers first, but you could also roast the mushrooms yourself. You’ll still get that crusty texture, plus the moisture, flavor, and all the nutrients that the mushrooms would normally bring to your plate. Add them toward the end of the cooking process but before you put them onto the rice to enjoy.

Pork barbecue sauce

This sauce is delicious on most foods — it doesn't have that cloying, sticky consistency that can cause problems if you aren’t careful. Instead, it provides nice heat and great flavor. And that's good enough reason to use it — it’s basically gravy, mixed in the beef. You should also taste test each person who tries it and tell them what they think. At times, I’ve asked my friends about their thoughts about it, and everyone agrees that it smells great. My husband says he loves it when it comes out of the oven, while my husband likes the fact that you can see when it’s coming out when he puts it onto the stove. Either way, there’s nothing better than seeing it coming out of the oven. You could even bake it ahead of time and then reheat it on a low heat until it’s warmed through. For that extra fun, toss it with garlic and onion if you like.

Shrimp enchiladas

I recently read that a company called Brummel & Kringle made a recipe of this, and you can easily find it online. This recipe uses shredded chicken breast with shrimp, corn, garlic, chorizo, pico de gallo (chopped tomato), and queso fresco, per the directions on the tin. Obviously this isn’t exactly a staple on fried rice, but it’s certainly worth trying. The key points are to use minced chicken meat and shrimp until crispy-crunchy with no traces of moisture. Mix in your choice of beans or vegetables to add variety. Sprinkle over cumin and chili flakes as desired. Bake in your favorite crock pot or dryer for 30 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. Garnish with chorizo and sprinkle with additional salsa if desired.

Pork and cabbage fried rice

This version of fried rice is incredibly flavorful, and I love the way everything works together. While it’s a lot different than regular fried rice, it’s easy to make. The key is brining the rice and doing everything else the same way, since you’ll use cabbage as well. Combine your choice of grains or fluffier rice (I prefer coarse or medium). When done, cut off the ends and allow the rice to simmer in a glass pot overnight. Now, prepare your sauce. You’ll need one teaspoon ground pork or meat sauce, along with one teaspoon fresh cabbage or vegetable broth. Blend all the ingredients together to create a paste and set aside. Then start frying your rice. Place the cooked pieces onto a large plate, cover it off over a towel, and let it cook for approximately 35 minutes. Keep a lid on the pot to keep it from getting too hot, and pour in your preferred condiments, if desired. Cook for another 20-25 minutes until the rice is thoroughly done, and serve warm or cold. Enjoy!

Cauliflower fried rice

I often fall in love with cauliflower fried rice, and that’s why I decided to include it in my list. Cauliflower is super creamy, making it incredibly fluffy by nature. However, when cooked with the perfect amount of spices, it adds depth to your meal and brings the creaminess to level up to other versions of fried rice. A couple tablespoons of olive oil will help reduce the richness and fat, while another tablespoon of vinegar is meant for taking the edge off of the garlic that was already incorporated. Make sure you have enough liquid to be able to sink a spoonful of this rich dish into a bowl, but I suggest at least half a cup. Once your rice has reached a soft and chewy feel, wrap around your back and hold it under the steam until it’s fully cooked. I suggest serving it straight from the pot, alongside a glass of wine, and some lemon zest if you’d like. Let it rest in a plastic container for 5-10 minutes and then enjoy.

Citrus-flavored fried rice

Citrus flavor makes it stand out, and that’s probably why people love it as much as my other fried rice. Citrus is tart, refreshing, and juicy, and also helps balance the tartness of the rice. Use this trick to get a nice citrus note without being overpowering. Get your spice rack ready so that you have the right proportions of orange, orange, and grapefruit, with a dash of apple cider vinegar. Pour over a generous portion of rice to a thickness of 1 1/2 to 3/4 inches. Drizzle over the juice, then garnish and place your fried rice outside the refrigerator for two hours. Finish cooking the rice in a hot broiler until its crispiness is gone, and serve.

Parmesan fried rice

Parmesan is a compound found naturally in almonds and has been for centuries. Often used in pastas, it's actually found in cheeses, eggs, and even bread. Although it’s extremely rare, it's the main ingredient in many delicacies, including pizza, olives, and a variety of sweets. And now we have found it with a quick trip to Italy. Parmian is a great nutty cheese, which is why it is often used in so many dishes. Made with finely grated walnuts and nuts, it offers a similar texture as most cheeses, but with a different flavor. After chopping up your nutmeg, grate over the rice, sprinkle with basil and a few dill leaves, and eat it as is or slice into pieces.