Deliciously Easy Vegetarian Fried Rice
Looking for a colorful, nutrient-packed dish that’s both satisfying and bursting with flavor? Say hello to our Vibrant Veggie Fried Rice! This recipe transforms simple rice and fresh vegetables into a delightful and wholesome meal . Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to add more plant-based goodness to your diet, this fried rice is a tasty and option. With a medley of crisp vegetables, aromatic seasonings, it’s a quick and easy. Get ready to enjoy a meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
Deliciously Easy Fried Rice
Looking for a colorful, nutrient-packed dish that’s both satisfying and bursting with flavor? Say hello to our Vibrant Veggie Fried Rice! This recipe transforms simple rice and fresh vegetables into a delightful and wholesome meal. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or want to add more plant-based goodness to your diet, this fried rice is a tasty option. With a medley of crisp vegetables, aromatic seasonings, and a touch of savory goodness, it’s a quick and easy dish. Get ready to enjoy a meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Rice Extra Long Grain Basmati rice
- 8 Cups Water
- 1 Cup Yellow Corn
- 1 Large Carrot
- 6 Bunches Bok-Choi
- 1 Cup Bell-Pepper Orange,Yellow , Green, Red
- 1 Cup Cooked Mushroom
- 4 Large Potatoes Cut Into Small Cubes
- 6 Tbsp All spice
- 1/4 pods Star-anise
- 3 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 6 Pc Bay Leaves
- 1/2 Tbsp Chili pepper
- 1 Tsp Sesame Oil
- 1/4 Tsp Asafoetida
- 2 Tbsp Salt
Instructions
- Cooking rice can be a simple and satisfying task with the right technique. Here’s how to perfectly cook 4 cups of rice using 8 cups of water:
- Rinse the Rice:
- Place the 4 cups of rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.
- If you prefer, you can add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of butter or oil to the water for extra flavor. Stir gently so that the rice is evenly distributed and not clumping together.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. This helps maintain a steady simmer.
- Simmer:
- Let the rice simmer for about 18-20 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to ensure even cooking.
- Check for Doneness:
- After 18 minutes, check the rice. It should be tender and the water should be fully absorbed. If there’s still water in the pot or the rice isn’t tender, cover the pot and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes.
- Fluff the Rice:
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for about 5 minutes. This helps the rice steam and become fluffy.
- Wash and Cut Bok Choy into Bite-Sized Pieces
- Wash the Bok Choy:
- Rinse the bok choy under cold running water to remove any dirt or grit. Pay special attention to the base and between the leaves, as dirt can often hide there. You can also soak the bok choy in a bowl of cold water, swishing it around to help loosen any remaining dirt.
- Cut the Bok Choy:
- Place the bok choy on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut off the root end, separating the leaves.
- Cut the leaves and stems into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 2 inches long. For baby bok choy, you might just need to halve or quarter them, depending on their size.
- Optional: Separate Stems and Leaves:
- If the stems are thick, you may want to cut them into smaller pieces than the leaves to ensure even cooking. Consider cooking the stems first and adding the leaves a bit later if you prefer them to retain some crunch.
- This process ensures that your bok choy is clean and evenly cut for your dish!
- Wash the Bell Peppers:
- Rinse the red, yellow, and green bell peppers under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue.
- Cut the Bell Peppers:
- Place a bell pepper on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut around the stem to remove it. Then, cut the pepper in half lengthwise.
- Remove the seeds and white membranes from inside the pepper halves. You can do this by gently scraping them out with the knife or your fingers.
- Place the pepper halves cut side down on the cutting board. Slice them into strips about 1/2 inch wide.
- Turn the strips and cut them crosswise into small cubes, about 1/2 inch in size.
- Repeat:
- Repeat the cutting process for the remaining red, yellow, and green bell peppers.
- Wash, Peel, and Cut Potatoes into Small Cubes, Then Deep Fry Until Golden Brown
- Wash the Potatoes:
- Rinse the potatoes under cold running water to remove any dirt. Use a vegetable brush if needed to scrub them clean.
- Peel the Potatoes:
- Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skins from the potatoes. Hold the potato in one hand and carefully peel away from you to avoid accidents.
- Cut the Potatoes:
- Place the peeled potatoes on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the potatoes into small cubes, about 1/2 inch in size.
- Deep Fry the Potatoes:
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or a large, deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the potato cubes in small batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry the potatoes for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Drain and Serve:
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Now you have perfectly golden brown, crispy potato cubes ready to enjoy!
- Prepare the Carrot:
- Wash the large carrot under cold running water to remove any dirt. Peel the carrot using a vegetable peeler if desired.
- Grate the Carrot:
- Place a box grater on a stable surface, like a cutting board, with the desired grating side facing you.
- Hold the carrot at the thicker end and press it against the large holes of the grater.
- Using firm pressure, move the carrot up and down against the grater to create grated carrot pieces. Be cautious as you near the end of the carrot to avoid grating your fingers.
- Collect the Grated Carrot:
- Gather the grated carrot from the inside of the grater or from the cutting board, depending on your grater’s design. Use it as needed in your recipe
- Drain 1 Can of Mushrooms & 1 Can of Corn
- Open the Cans:
- Use a can opener to open 1 can of mushrooms and 1 can of corn.
- Drain the Mushrooms:
- Pour the mushrooms into a colander or strainer. Allow the liquid to drain completely. Rinse briefly with cold water if desired, and let them drain again.
- Drain the Corn:
- Pour the corn into a separate colander or strainer. Allow the liquid to drain completely.
- Now your canned mushrooms and corn are ready to use in your recipe
- Heat 3 Tablespoons of Oil in a Wok or Pan for Fried Rice
- Prepare the Wok or Pan:
- Place a wok or a large frying pan on the stove over medium-high heat.
- Add the Oil:
- Pour 3 tablespoons of oil into the wok or pan.
- Heat the Oil:
- Allow the oil to heat up for about 1-2 minutes, or until it’s shimmering and hot, but not smoking. The oil is now ready for cooking the fried rice.
- This ensures that your oil is properly heated and ready for the next steps in making fried rice
- Add 1/2 Teaspoon Asafoetida to the Oil
- Prepare the Oil:
- Ensure the oil in the wok or pan is hot and shimmering, but not smoking.
- Add the Asafoetida:
- Carefully add 1/2 teaspoon of asafoetida (hing) to the hot oil.
- Stir briefly to distribute the asafoetida and allow its flavor to infuse the oil for about 15-20 seconds.
- This step enhances the flavor of your dish by allowing the asafoetida to release its aroma and blend with the oil.
- Add Allspice, Bay Leaves, Star Anise, and Mexican Pepper to the Oil in the Frying Pan or Wok
- Add the Spices:
- Carefully add the following spices to the hot oil:
- 1 teaspoon of allspice berries (whole or ground)
- 6 bay leaves
- 1 star anise pods
- 1 Mexican pepper (whole or ground)
- Fry the Spices:
- Stir the spices in the oil for about 20-30 seconds, or until they become fragrant. Be cautious not to burn them.
- Proceed with Your Recipe:
- Once the spices are fragrant, continue with the next steps of your recipe, such as adding vegetables, rice, or other ingredients.
- This step adds aromatic flavors to your dish, enhancing its taste and aroma. Adjust the quantities of spices based on your personal preference and the recipe’s requirements
- Ensure the spices are fragrant in the frying pan
- Add the Vegetables:
- Carefully add the following vegetables to the spice mix:
- Grated carrot (from earlier preparation)
- Drained corn (from earlier preparation)
- Drained mushrooms (from earlier preparation)
- Bok choy cut into bite-sized pieces (from earlier preparation)
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- Stir-fry the vegetables with the spice mix for about 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp. Stir continuously to evenly coat the vegetables with the spices and oil.
- Continue with Your Recipe:
- Proceed with the next steps of your recipe, such as adding cooked rice
- This step combines the aromatic spices with the vegetables, creating a flavorful base for your dish. Adjust cooking times based on your preference for vegetable tenderness.
- Now Add Salt, Black Pepper, and Sesame Oil to Finish Your Fried Rice
- Add Seasonings:
- Sprinkle salt and black pepper to taste over the cooked vegetables and rice mixture in the wok or frying pan.
- Drizzle with Sesame Oil:
- Add a drizzle of sesame oil to enhance the flavors of the dish.
- Mix Well:
- Stir everything together thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings and sesame oil throughout the fried rice.
- Serve Hot:
- Your delicious fried rice is now ready to be served hot as a flavorful and satisfying meal!
- Enjoy your homemade fried rice bursting with aromatic spices and wholesome vegetables.
Notes
Tips:
- For added flavor, you can cook the rice in vegetable broth instead of water.
- If you prefer firmer rice, use slightly less water. For softer rice, use a bit more water.
- Rice Preparation:
- Use day-old cooked rice for the best texture. Freshly cooked rice can be sticky, making it harder to stir-fry
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables such as peas, bell peppers, broccoli, or bean sprouts. Ensure they are cut into uniform sizes for even cooking
- .Spice Level: Adjust the amount of spices and seasoning according to your preference. You can add chili flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick.
- Protein Addition: For a complete meal, add cooked tofu .
- Serve with: Enjoy as a standalone dish or pair with your favorite Asian-inspired dishes such as stir-fried vegetables