Chinese Fried Rice with Shrimp is a classic Chinese dish that is loved by many. It is a simple and flavorful rice dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. The dish is made with rice, shrimp, eggs, vegetables, and a few basic seasonings. The key to making this dish delicious is to use day-old cooked rice, which will give the dish a better texture and flavor.
How To Make:
To prepare this dish, you'll need cooked and chilled white rice, shrimp, eggs, carrots, peas, scallions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms, depending on your preference.
First, sauté the shrimp in a wok or large skillet until cooked through, then remove them from the pan and set them aside. In the same pan, sauté the garlic and vegetables until they are tender. Add the cold rice to the pan and stir-fry until it is heated through and starting to brown slightly.
Create a well in the center of the rice and add the beaten eggs, stirring until they are scrambled and cooked through. Add the shrimp back to the pan, along with the soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined, and the dish is heated through.
Tips and Variations:
1. Use day-old rice: As mentioned, using day-old rice will help give the dish a better texture and flavor. If you don't have day-old rice, you can cook the rice and then chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours before using it.
2. Don't overcook the shrimp: Overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery. Cook them just until they are pink and cooked through.
3. Use a wok or large skillet: A wok or large skillet will give you more surface area to stir-fry the ingredients, which will help ensure that everything is evenly cooked.
4. Use other proteins: You can substitute the shrimp with other proteins, such as chicken, beef, or tofu.
5. Add other vegetables: You can add other vegetables to the dish, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or broccoli, to increase the nutritional value and add more flavor.
6. Use other seasonings: You can add other seasonings to the dish, such as ginger, chili flakes, or oyster sauce, to give it a different flavor.
7. Make it spicy: If you like spicy food, you can add chopped chili peppers or hot sauce to the dish.
8. Make it vegetarian: You can omit the shrimp and add more vegetables or tofu to make the dish vegetarian.
9. Use brown rice: For a healthier option, you can use brown rice instead of white rice.
10. Garnish with fresh herbs: Chopped cilantro or parsley can add a pop of color and freshness to the dish. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped peanuts on top for added texture.
Ingredients:
- - 3 cups of cooked and chilled white rice
- - 1/2 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined
- - 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- - 1/2 cup of frozen peas
- - 1/2 cup of diced carrots
- - 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- - 2 scallions, sliced
- - 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- - 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- - Salt and pepper to taste
- - Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
2. Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan, then add the garlic, scallions, peas, and carrots. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Add the cooked rice to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until it is heated through and starting to brown slightly.
4. Create a well in the center of the rice and add the beaten eggs. Stir the eggs until they are scrambled and cooked through.
5. Add the shrimp back to the pan, along with the soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined and heated through.
6. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Chinese Fried Rice with Shrimp!
Note: You can adjust the amount of soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to suit your taste. You can also add other vegetables or proteins, as well as other seasonings, to customize the dish to your liking.