Is basmati or jasmine rice better for fried rice? Though both rice varieties are both good for fried rice, there are differences in texture, size and flavor. Jasmine rice, of Thai origin, is a shorter grain than basmati rice, which is of Indian/Pakistani origin.
The fine, long grains of jasmine rice with its delicate flavour are perfect for fried rice. Precook the rice at least 30 minutes, but preferably one day, before making fried rice and keep it uncovered in the fridge.
While jasmine is a long-grain rice, it contains less amylose than regular long-grain white rice and cooks up slightly sticky. Basmati rice, which contains a higher percentage of amylose, is a better choice.
Most Chinese restaurants make fried rice out of jasmine rice. Jasmine rice has a nice texture and flavor, making it perfect for this application.
White basmati rice is the most popular type used in Chinese restaurants. Basmati rice cooks quickly and has a fluffy texture. Basmati rice pairs well with stir fry dishes, curries, and other flavorful dishes.
Both jasmine and basmati rice are aromatic varieties that make a great alternative to plain long grain white rice. You'll find these rices commonly used in a variety of Middle Eastern and Indian dishes.
Basmati is a go-to choice for pilaf, biryani, plov, the classic Persian dish called chelow and as a base for curry. Jasmine is a top pick for fried rice, com do (Vietnamese red rice) and hung kao mung gati (Thai coconut rice).
There are a few different seasonings that make fried rice taste just right. The most important sauces to add are soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce in fried rice. All three add unique flavors to rice, but it can be easy to go overboard.
The answer: high heat, expert tosses, and something known as 'wok hei. ' As J. Kenji López-Alt writes for Serious Eats, expert cooking with a wok (and the gas range it requires) is one of the main reasons that fried rice from a Chinese restaurant tastes so much better than what you can make at home.
Use cold, leftover cooked rice. Left in the fridge overnight, the rice grains will firm up, making it easier to separate and decreasing the chances of your fried rice turning out mushy. If you can't wait, air freshly cooked rice to remove moisture and refrigerate the rice for a few hours before cooking.
Any long grain rice or medium grain rice is suitable to make fried rice. Long & thin grains are less starchy while short and fat grains are starchier. So avoid short grains. Any regular long grain rice, basmati rice or medium grain rice like Jasmine rice are best.
Frying well-rinsed rice before cooking achieves this by reducing starch before adding liquid and giving the grains a chewy, denser texture and slightly toasted taste.
The fiber in basmati rice is soluble, meaning it adds bulk and helps move waste along the digestive tract. Eating whole grains like brown basmati rice is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Whole grains help to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Mushy or soggy rice is simply overcooked rice that has absorbed too much water. Water over-absorption causes the rice grains to split open, ruining the texture and creating a starchy, gummy result.
What is the best rice to use for fried rice? Long grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine, is a good choice because it is light and fluffy. This type of rice will absorb the flavors of the other ingredients in the dish without becoming too mushy.
Use the right oil to fry rice
Oils suitable for stir-frying are vegetable oil such as peanut and palm oil. They have a high smoking point suitable for stir-frying and a neutral taste that will not affect the flavor of the fried rice. Olive oil and butter are not suitable for cooking oriental fried rice.
All you need to do is stir fry cold rice for 2 minutes in a hot frying pan, then make a hole in the centre of the rice and tip in some beaten eggs. Leave the eggs for 45 seconds and then stir the part-cooked eggs into the rice. Finally, fry for 1 more minute, then add soy sauce and sesame oil.
Using badly-cooked rice
Adding too much or too little water, or cooking for too long, can leave you with rice that's either mushy, crunchy, soggy, or burnt, all of which are poor places to start for fried rice (via the Foods Guy). So, make sure that you're cooking your rice correctly.
Turmeric is the special ingredient that makes the fried rice yellow, and because of its incredible health benefits, the addition of this spice makes this recipe a good-for-you treat. A great way to use up leftover rice—rice that is several days old is perfect for this simple but extremely tasty recipe.
Takeout fried rice always has a hint of sweetness. You may not have noticed, but next time you open your takeout container, keep it in mind. A sprinkling of sugar adds depth in flavor and a slight color via caramelization. This is the game-changing touch you can use to impress your friends.
Fried rice is a traditional Chinese preparation of cooked rice, vegetables, protein, soy sauce, and aromatics. The ingredients are stir-fried in a large pan or wok for even flavor distribution.
Jasmine rice cooks up stickier, in clumps, whereas basmati rice tends to cook up as dry, individual grains that do not stick together. When used to make fried rice, jasmine rice may beat out basmati rice because of its ability to crisp up without breakage.
Remember to soak
I would recommend soaking them for up to 30 minutes. This will kick start the water absorption process, meaning less time on the hob! Rinsing your rice before you cook it will remove the thin layer of starch that naturally occurs, preventing your rice from sticking together once cooked!
Basmati is gluten-free and low in fat. In addition to containing all eight essential amino acids and folic acid, it's very low in sodium and cholesterol-free. Basmati has a low to medium glycemic index, meaning that energy is released at a slower, steadier rate, which leads to more balanced energy levels.