A variety of ingredients are used to make Yangzhou fried rice, a hearty stir-fried rice meal. Although the vast majority of Chinese restaurants serve it, you may also make it at home with relative ease.
A traditional Jiangsu Yangzhou dish is Yangzhou fried rice, sometimes referred to as Yangzhou egg fried rice.
If you like fried rice, then try these recipes “Steak Fried Rice“, “Korean Fried Rice“, and “Curry Fried Rice“.
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What is Yangzhou Fried Rice?
Yangzhou fried rice is a specialty of the Jiangsu province of China’s Yangzhou city. According to legend, Yangzhou regional magistrate Yi Bingshou originated the meal.
Thus, Yang Zhou Fried Rice is the name of the dish. However, there are many different tales concerning the origins of this meal.
Yang Zhou fried rice, regardless of how it was created, captures the genuine essence of Chinese fried rice by transforming leftover food scraps into a filling and delectable dish.
History of Yangzhou Fried Rice
Many Chinese restaurants all around the world serve Yangzhou fried rice, which is a favorite. The US and the UK are also aficionados of this wok meal.
The dish was created in the Jiangsu province city of Yangzhou. During the Qing Dynasty, a magistrate invented it, and at first, fish soup was the accompaniment.
The dish has now spread around the world, including local modifications in various Asian cities.
Yangzhou Fried Rice Recipe
Simple fried rice is the foundation of all rice dishes, and Yangzhou fried rice has long maintained the distinction of being China’s most treasured rice dish.
According to legend, “broken gold rice” appeared at the same time the Emperor visited Yangzhou.
Yangzhou Fried Rice Ingredients
You’ll need rice, eggs, peas, carrots, scallions, Chinese barbecued pork, and other ingredients to make Yangzhou fried rice.
- Rice (long grains are typically preferred over short grains by Chinese cooks because they cook more tender and chewy)
- Eggs (For a vegan alternative, remove these)
- Peas, chickens, and stallions (the soft texture of the eggs and the chewy beef will be best complemented by the textures of the peas and carrots, therefore they are a need)
- Chinese Barbecued Pork (Chinese-style grilled pork Chinese sausage is also available if you don’t like pigs. That will, however, give your food a lightly tart flavor. If you want extra protein, you may also get shrimp and chicken)
Directions to Make
- First, prepare the essential materials
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs with salt to taste. After that, separate the grains of rice by breaking up the chilled rice
- Add oil to a wok or big pan and heat over medium-high heat. Rotate it around
- Once the oil has been smoked, extinguish the flame
- Add the carrots and peas
- Add one tablespoon of oil and turn the wok back on to heat
- To cover the wok’s bottom, swirl the pan. While swirling and tossing the grains, add the rice and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Clear a spot in the center of the wok
- Add one more tablespoon of oil. Place the eggs inside and whisk for a little period. Combine rice and eggs
- Stirring and tossing while cooking Before reducing the heat, make sure your eggs are still runny and largely cooked
- Your Yangzhou fried rice should now include the pork pieces from the grill
- Then add the carrots and peas after that. In the wok, stir them
- After that, swirl and toss continually for a few minutes while adding the soy sauce and pepper
- Then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped scallions. Mix thoroughly, then warmly serve
Tips For Yangzhou Fried Rice
Use Day-Old Rice
If at all possible, use rice that has been chilled the night before. This is unquestionably the most crucial advice because it’s the one thing that might prevent your fried rice from turning out properly.
Day-old rice is utilized in fried rice since storing it in the refrigerator would cause the rice to slightly dry out. This makes it possible for the individual rice grains to separate, preventing mushy fried rice.
If you didn’t prepare the rice in advance for this dish, just make sure the new rice is a little bit dryer than usual, and you should be good.
If You Have a Wok, Use it
The work is the ideal appliance for frying rice for several reasons. The first benefit is that it makes tossing more simpler, which will enable you to separate the rice grains and cook the rice uniformly.
The wok hei taste, which can only be obtained by cooking in a wok, will also be obtained. Wok hei is the elusive taste frequently connected to stir-fries or fried rice prepared in really authentic little Chinese eateries.
Break up The Cold Rice Into Individual Grains Before You Cook it
Before cooking, separate the chilled rice into individual grains. Your life will become so much simpler as a result, and the rice will cook uniformly.
Make Sure The Wok is Super Hot Before Adding The Rice
When your oil starts to smoke, the temperature is hot enough. It’s crucial to do this since adding the rice will cause the pan’s temperature to decrease significantly, making steaming the rice more likely.
Other Fried Rice Recipes
Egg Fried Rice
An easy recipe for flavorful, takeout-style egg-fried rice! This meal is fantastic to serve as a homemade Chinese takeaway.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 4 cups (800g) boiled and cooled long-grain rice
- ½ tbsp sesame oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic salt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh or bottled is fine)
To Serve
- ½ bunch of spring onions/scallions chopped
Directions to Make
- Fill a big wok with 1 tbsp of oil
- On medium heat, add the onion and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, or until the onion begins to soften and become translucent
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves and the remaining vegetable oil
- Stirring often, cook for a further 30 seconds
- Increase the heat to high and add the rice
- Then, add sesame oil
- Toss everything together and prevent the rice from sticking to the pan’s bottom by using a spatula
- To ensure that the rice is well heated, keep stirring
- Push the cooked rice to the side of the pan once it has heated through (approximately 5 minutes), then crack the two eggs into the empty area
- To the eggs, add a little amount of soy sauce (approximately 1/4 tbsp)
- Fry the eggs, stirring them with a spatula until they begin to cook and resemble scrambled eggs but are still slightly runny
- Despite the dish being quite simple to cook, it is crucial to comprehend the ingredients and flavors
- Now combine rice and egg
- Mix everything before adding the remaining soy sauce (approximately 1 3/4 tbsp), 1/4 tsp of salt, and 1/4 tsp of garlic salt
- Stir in 1/2 tbsp of the lemon juice before tasting. If necessary, add a bit extra lemon juice
- Distribute across 4 bowls
- Add spring onions on top (scallions)
- Serve alongside your preferred Chinese meal
Kimchi Fried Rice
Unquestionably, Korean culture has a significant influence on people all over the world. Much of what we like today days likely has Korean roots, from the music we listen to to the television series we watch to the food we now consume.
One thing that frequently inspires us to organize a vacation to Seoul with friends is watching Korean dramas! But to a lesser extent, watching our favorite stars devour such delectable meals makes us want Korean food.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 cup kimchi, diced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup cooked diced bacon or ham (optional)
- 2 tablespoons kimchi juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten (optional)
Directions to Make
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat
- Add a bit of vegetable oil and saute the onions and garlic until softened
- Add the diced bacon or ham, if using, and continue to saute for another minute
- Add the kimchi and kimchi juice and continue to cook for a few minutes, when the kimchi is cooked
- Add the cooked rice, soy sauce, and sesame oil, and stir-fry for a few minutes
- Push the rice mixture to one side of the skillet, and add the beaten eggs to the other side
- Scramble the eggs until cooked, and then mix them into the rice mixture
- Garnish with green onions before serving
This recipe is a great way to enjoy the flavors of kimchi in a new and delicious way. You can also add other ingredients, such as diced vegetables or protein, to make it more filling.
If you prefer, you can also reduce the amount of kimchi and kimchi juice to make it less spicy. Serve it hot and enjoy!
FAQs
Many Yangzhou Fried Rice recipes contain soy sauce, which contains gluten. But you can use gluten-free soy sauce, or tamari, to make it gluten-free.
While traditional Yangzhou Fried Rice is made with long-grain white rice, it can be made with brown rice or other types of rice as well.
Yangzhou Fried Rice is different from other types of fried rice in that it is made with long-grain rice, which gives it a delicate texture and flavor.
Additionally, it is traditionally made with a larger proportion of eggs and shrimp compared to other types of fried rice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Yangzhou Fried Rice is a classic Chinese dish that is known for its delicate flavor, beautiful appearance, and the use of high-quality ingredients.
Although the meal is reasonably easy to prepare, understanding the components and flavors is essential.
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