Vegetable fried rice is one of the very early dishes that I vividly remember having tried in my kitchen after seeing a cookery show in doordarshan during my school days. My mom was super impressed and we have made it together several times after that. I have improvised on the recipe in the years of cooking after that. This recipe is so special as my mom really likes fried rice. She is a vegetarian and fried rice and gobi manchurian is something she really enjoys and eats when I make for her.
Here is the video of Vegetable Fried Rice, வெஜ் பிரைட் ரைஸ், Vegetable Fried Rice in Tamil
Fried rice is very easy to make when you have the mise en place ready. Just like the veggie trinity mirepoix in western cooking, there is a holy trinity of veggies in Chinese cooking too! Its the combination of Ginger, Garlic and Scallions / Spring onions. Use them generously whenever you make chinese food!!!
First, lets talk about the rice. We will be using basmati rice for making fried rice. The whole idea is to get the texture right. Its very important that the grains of rice do not turn mushy. Here is how I do it. Wash and soak the basmati rice in water for 30 minutes. Drain the water. Add 1.5 cups of water to every cup of rice used. Cook in a pressure cooker, medium flame – for exactly 2 whistles. Switch off the flame and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. The pressure will release on its own during that time.
After 15 minutes, open the cooker and fluff up the rice. Immediately, transfer the rice to 2-3 plates to cool it down completely. The rice needs to be completely cool before you start cooking the fried rice.
Note: For a very dry rice, release the pressure manually after 5 minutes.
Now lets talk about the flame. High heat is very important in chinese cooking. The chinese restaurants use heavy burners that can cook and slightly char the veggies and meat in seconds. Even though, we cannot replicate that at home, keep the flame of the gas stove to the maximum it will go. Cooking the veggies on high heat will give it a slight char and flavour that’s desirable.
Heat oil in a pan and add in the finely minced garlic and finely minced ginger. Fry for a couple of minutes.
Then comes the veggies. I do not like to use a lot of types of veggies in my fried rice. But its totally up to you. You can use whatever you find in your fridge. I have used finely chopped carrots, beans and cabbage. The flavour of cabbage is very essential for fried rice. You may add capsicum, corn, mushrooms etc… depending on what you like. Make sure you chop them as fine as possible so it cooks quickly!
Add a total of two cups of very finely chopped veggies. Add in the salt, pepper powder and the sugar. The little sugar will balance the taste. Fry briefly for 3-4 minutes.
Add in the rice and the scallions / spring onions. Saute for a couple of minutes more.
Fried rice is ready.
Serve with gobi manchurian, chilli paneer or sweet and sour fish
Vegetable Fried Rice, Easy Fried Rice Recipe
Recipe for Vegetable fried rice. Easy Indian-Chinese restaurant style recipe. Made with basmati rice.
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Basmati Rice
- 2 tablespoon peanut oil
- 10 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 inch piece ginger, finely minced
- 2 cups finely chopped veggies (cabbage, carrot, beans)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper powder
- 3 stalks spring onions / scallions, finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash and soak the basmati rice in water for 30 minutes. Drain the water. Add 1.5 cups of water to every cup of rice used. Cook in a pressure cooker, medium flame – for exactly 2 whistles. Switch off the flame and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Cool the rice on plates. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan and add in the finely minced garlic and finely minced ginger. Fry for a couple of minutes.
- Add a total of two cups of very finely chopped veggies. Add in the salt, pepper powder and the sugar. Fry briefly for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the rice and the scallions / spring onions. Saute for a couple of minutes more.
- Serve hot!
Notes
When doing fried rice for parties, add 2 tablespoon of butter in the end while adding rice and toss well to coat. Butter will make for a very velvety fried rice.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
What do you do with the scrambled egg that you set apart at the beginning?
Loved it.. perfect
Great to read n eat also!
Thank you for sharing a very easy n delicious recipe with users. I just love this recipe & even I loved to share this stuff as much as i can. Keep it up!
Hi Akka,
i saw your mention on wusthof santoku knife. What blade size do you recommend 7″ or 8″ or…
Hi Ganga, If you are beginner and do a lot of Indian style cooking, go for the smaller ones. I have a 7 inch one and like it.
thank you!
I don’t have spring onions…can I do without that…
Hi Janu,
Sure you can make it without it but it wont taste the same.
Thank you so much for this recipe..it came out so well 😊😊
Omg I’ve cooking for the past 18 years and always struggled with this recipe . Where where you all my life ??
This recipe turned out really good ! Thanks for posting a!
Have been meaning to write for a while now. I use a lot of your recipes. Made your friend rice today. It’s a momentus occasion when I like my own cooking. 😉 All thanks to you. Keep the recipes coming.
Thanks so much Smitha!
Hi kannamma (so close to my heart )
For d first time my daughter praised me for preparing a delicious fried rice.I didn’t have spring onions so I added celery and scrambled eggs.such an easy easy easy recipe well explained .Hats off to u!
Thank you so much!
Tried the veg fried rice today. Came out pucca. Thanks.
Thank you Ts.
Tried this yesterday and it came out picture perfect! I had always struggled with fried rice.
Thank you!
You have chopped Veggies into very small pieces. It’s very attractive. May I know which knife or what kind of knife do you use to chop Veggies.
I use a wusthof santoku knife for all my kitchen chopping needs. Its very expensive in India. If you have friends in the US, you may ask them to get it for you. Its much cheaper there.
I was satisfied for the first time making fried rice. Thanks!
Thank you!
Thanks a lot..Lots of love
tempting pics….