Fried rice dishes

[JKRolling]

Hi all

I'm wanting to cook fried rice tomorrow night but won't have time to make up rice and allow it to cool before frying it.

I will probably do Nasi Garang or something like that. Question it, could i use the rice from one of these microwaveable packets as a short cut or will it turn to mush?

[rsbmw]

I wouldn't

No reason the rice has to cool, and even if it did you could cool quickly in cold running water

[JKRolling]

I'm pretty sure you do need it to cool. I've tried it warm and cooled before when I've had time and it's certainly better when cooled. Plus pretty much every oriental chef I've seen says it needs to be cool.

Maybe I'm just cooking it wrong or my wok isn't hot enough

[guitarcarfanatic]

I would use packet rice - the latest advert on TV has a stir fry being made with uncle bens added.

[21TonyK]

It works fine from a packet. Just avoid the weirdly spiced stuff!

[JKRolling]

21TonyK said:

It works fine from a packet. Just avoid the weirdly spiced stuff!

Thanks, i was going to try the plain basmati tilda rice then add my own spices and maybe chicken which i will put it to marinate tomorrow morning then fry it off or grill separately

[21TonyK]

JKRolling said:

Thanks, i was going to try the plain basmati tilda rice then add my own spices and maybe chicken which i will put it to marinate tomorrow morning then fry it off or grill separately

That will be fine. It's a regular shortcut for me.

[JKRolling]

21TonyK said:

JKRolling said:

Thanks, i was going to try the plain basmati tilda rice then add my own spices and maybe chicken which i will put it to marinate tomorrow morning then fry it off or grill separately

That will be fine. It's a regular shortcut for me.

Thanks Tony, i was worried about doing it as my better half looked at me like I'd gone completely mad when I suggested it.

[Ultuous]

Another one here who uses it as a shortcut (it's popular in 15 minute meal type books too)... I prefer cooking it from scratch, but that's me being a tightwad as much as anything!

[JKRolling]

Ultuous said:

Another one here who uses it as a shortcut (it's popular in 15 minute meal type books too)... I prefer cooking it from scratch, but that's me being a tightwad as much as anything!

I do as well. However when time isn't on your side it's not really possible. It's one of the many simple meals i think where each stage is really quick and easy but you need a good deal of time between those stages. If this works it will be one of my go to dishes when I come home late.

[Jer_1974]

Cook rice and cool down in a colander by run under a cold tap. Tip onto clean dish towel and spread out to soak up some water. Get a hot frying pan add a few eggs, spread egg in bottom of pan allow to cook for a few seconds then chuck in some rice and soy sauce. Mix up and serve.

[JKRolling]

Jer_1974 said:

Cook rice and cool down in a colander by run under a cold tap. Tip onto clean dish towel and spread out to soak up some water. Get a hot frying pan add a few eggs, spread egg in bottom of pan allow to cook for a few seconds then chuck in some rice and soy sauce. Mix up and serve.

Trouble is i will have no more than 20 mins to make some food. I'm off out to a party 40 mins after getting back and need to cook really quickly eat it get changed and go. Hence thinking fried rice with thin cut chicken marinated and rice with spices. From the packet and chicken marinated i think I could do it within 10-15 mins leave in a bowl then get changed. Hopefully this gives me 15 minutes to eat then out.

[skinny]

I always use pre cooked packet rice for fried rice. It doesn't work cooking fresh rice to go into fried without a lot of work

[HotJambalaya]

JKRolling said:

Trouble is i will have no more than 20 mins to make some food. I'm off out to a party 40 mins after getting back and need to cook really quickly eat it get changed and go. Hence thinking fried rice with thin cut chicken marinated and rice with spices. From the packet and chicken marinated i think I could do it within 10-15 mins leave in a bowl then get changed. Hopefully this gives me 15 minutes to eat then out.

So why does it need to be fried rice??

Make a sandwich!

[Wadeski]

is there no time before posting this and tomorrow dinner time you can cook packet rice and put it in the fridge to cool and dry?

[Vyse]

Ive done it a few times with rice cooked about 15 mins prior to frying. If you do this make sure you have as large a wok as you got, spread the rice out in as thin a layer as possible and keep it on the highest heat and dont move it.

The big mistake people make is that with freshly cooked rice you cant just stir it immediately as the rice will turn to mush. It takes time for the moisture to evaporate off and the rice to harden, then you can start moving it.

[Dr G]

Jer_1974 said:

Cook rice and cool down in a colander by run under a cold tap.

I do exactly this and love fried rice. It's pretty much my go-to quick dinner or using up leftovers meal.

Dried rice is insultingly cheap and easy to cook so I've never felt the need for the microwave stuff for more money.

[bazza white]

First time I tried fried rice I didn't realise it needed to be cooled, I ended up with a wok of mush.