Have you ever wondered how to make the perfect rice for fried rice -on the stovetop, in a rice cooker & and in an instant pot? Wonder no more, I have experimented with each with some amazing results.
One type of rice has challenged me over the years and that’s boiling rice for fried rice. One year I had 80 people over for the 4th of July and messed up the fried rice. I accepted responsibility even though I had delegated the task. One of my guests made sure to let me know that the rice was too soft. Caribbean folks are honest in that sense. With that memory painfully ingrained in my mind, I vowed never to make or serve mushy rice again.
What type of rice do Trinidadians use to make fried rice?
The traditional rice used to make Trini Fried Rice is parboiled rice—which Trinis refer to as brown rice incorrectly.
Parboiled rice yields rice that holds its shape, is firm, yet soft with the right chewy texture.
What is the ratio of rice to water for fried rice?
What is the ratio of rice to water to make the perfect rice for fried rice?
For this type of rice, I use 1:1, that is one cup of water for one cup of rice. However, if you try this with your brand of rice and it does not work, you will have to adjust the liquid. Too grainy, cook longer or add 1/4 cup more water. Too soft, decrease the water or cooking time.
Can you cook rice for the perfect fried rice on the same day?
Yes, you can! While day-old rice is always recommended, I have no objections and honestly, I do it all the time. Once you boil the rice perfectly, you will have no issue with clumping.
Do I boil the water first before adding rice?
This is one of the questions I asked myself when I first ventured into the kitchen to make rice. I recommend bringing the water to a boil first before adding the rice. This will reduce actual cooking time. Also, do not boil too long which will cause too much evaporation and decrease the amount of liquid required to cook the rice perfectly. To prevent evaporation during this first stage of cooking, cover the pot.
Can I remove the pot cover while the rice is steaming?
NO! Steam is essential to making the perfect rice and opening the pot during the cooking process will release the steam and hinder the magic that needs to happen. So, if you can, please have the patience to wait until your timer goes off. If you are a curious, impatient person, use a glass cover so that you can monitor and enjoy the entire process.
Ingredients you will need:
- parboiled rice or long-grain white rice
- salt
- water
Equipment Needed
- Non Stick Pot with a tight cover
How to cook the perfect rice for fried rice:
1. Measure and Rinse
2. Stovetop Version: Next, place the rinsed rice in a pot (preferably nonstick) with a tight-fitting lid with 1 cup of cold water and 1/2 tsp salt for each cup of rice. Stir to combine. Place the pot on the smaller burner on your stove, and bring the pot to a boil over high heat. When the grains begin to appear at the top, about 5-10 mins, reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover tightly and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender but still very firm. Remove the cover, fluff it with a fork, and return the cover to the pot. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes with the lid on.
3. Rice cooker version: Place rinsed rice in a rice cooker along with the water and salt. Press to cook. Once complete, remove the cover and allow it to cool.
4. Instant Pot version: Place rinsed rice in the Instant Pot along with the water and salt. Select rice (usually 12 minutes by default), cover, and allow it to cool.
5. You can pour the cooked rice onto a large sheet pan, spreading it evenly to allow it to cool more quickly.
Storing suggestions:
Once cool, place it in a resealable bag or glass container in the fridge if you prefer to use day-old rice for fried rice.
Popular Fried Rice Recipes:
Enjoy in your favorite fried rice. Here are some fried rice recipes from this blog:
Leftover Jerk Turkey Fried Rice
Click here for more tasty rice recipes.
How to Make the Perfect Rice for Fried Rice -Stovetop, Rice Cooker & Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups parboiled rice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- To start, rinse the parboiled rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear—as many times as necessary. This step helps to remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the grains and also removes the starch that will result in mushy rice.
- Stovetop Version: Next, place the rinsed rice in a pot (preferably non stick) with a tight fitting lid with 1 cup of cold water and 1/2 tsp salt for each cup of rice. Stir to combine. Place the pot on the smaller burner on your stove, bring the pot to a boil over high heat. When the grains begin to appear at the top, about 5-10 mins, reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover tightly and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender but still very firm. Remove the cover, fluff with a fork and return the cover to the pot. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes with the lid on.
- Rice cooker version: Place rinsed rice in a rice cooker along with the water and salt. Press to cook. Once complete, remove cover and allow it to cool.
- Instant Pot version: Place rinsed rice in the instant pot along with the water and salt. Select rice(usually 12 mins default), cover and allow it to cool.
- You can pour the cooked rice onto a large sheet pan, spreading it evenly to allow it to cool more quickly.
- Once cool, place it in a resealable bag or glass container in the fridge if you prefer to use day old rice for fried rice.
- Enjoy in your favorite fried rice.
