Can I use basmati rice for fried rice?
In this article, we will answer the question “Can I use basmati rice for fried rice?”, and how to make the best basmati fried-rice?
Can I use basmati rice for fried rice?
Yes, you can use basmati rice for fried rice. Basmati rice is grown and consumed predominantly in India and Pakistan. It has a very distinct flavor and aroma, different from the regular white American rice. Basmati rice has a greater amylose content and it does not stick. It comes out very fluffy once cooked. The delicate and light texture makes it a good choice for fried rice. Read on if you want to know how to make the perfect basmati fried rice.
What is the best rice for fried rice?
White rice with long gains is preferred for fried rice. The rice grains should not be sticky when cooked and should maintain a fluffy shape distinct from the other grains.
The cooking performance of the rice depends on the type of starch it contains. There are two main types of starch in tice name; amylose and amylopectin. Amylopectin, being highly branched, contributes to more sticky rice. Glutinous or sticky rice contains more amylopectin and only 1% amylose.
The other type of starch, amylose, is less branched resulting in fluffy rice with separate grains. Long grain white rice typically contains 19-23% amylose, according to the US Rice Federation.
Thai Jasmine rice can also be used for fried rice. It becomes slightly sticky when cooked because it has a comparatively lower amylose content than the regular white long-grain rice.
How to prepare rice and save it for later?
Boil and wash the rice according to the type of rice that you use. After that, swirl it gently so that the grains maintain their individual shape and do not create a mushy structure.
It is best to use stored and chilled rice to make fried rice because they dry out a bit during refrigeration reducing the chances of becoming sticky or mushy when fried.
How to use or store leftover rice?
Store any rice leftovers within 1-2 hours of cooking. Make sure the rice is at room temperature before storing them in the fridge. Starchy food kept in moist and warm environments favors the growth of Bacillus cereus, a spore-forming bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses and commonly contaminates rice and potato.
Check out the best basmati rice brands.
How to cook basmati rice?
Washing
Basmati rice needs to be washed prior to cooking. This step helps remove the starch that keeps the rice from sticking when cooked or boiled and provides structural integrity to the individual grain. Gently wash the rice for 30 seconds or 1 minute under cold running water.
Washing is not recommended for all types of rice as it affects the taste and texture of the end-product. Washing the basmati rice also removes any stray pieces of husk or any foreign particles that can lower the quality of the finished product.
Boiling
Basmati rice should be boiled for about 10-12 minutes to cook completely. The amount of water added to boil the rice is very important. Double the amount of rice and this will give you the amount of water you need to boil basmati. Adding salt to the boiling water keeps the rice from sticking.
Serving
Serve the rice after draining. You can either serve it normally on the plate or you can mold the rice into the shape of a small deep serving dish.
Other FAQs about Rice which you may be interested in.
What can I substitute for cilantro in rice?
How to make the best basmati fried rice?
Ingredients
1 cup basmati rice
Salt to taste
1-2 bay leaves
2 Tbsp butter
3/4 cup chopped tomatoes
1 Tbsp curry powder
1 Tbsp minced or grated ginger
1 Tsp chopped bird’s-eye chiles
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 cup chunked or flaked smoked white fish (such as cod or haddock)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Procedure
Wash the basmati rice and then boil them with salt and bay leaves. Refrigerate the boiled rice overnight.
In a pan, melt butter and add tomatoes, curry powder, ginger, chiles, garlic and shallots and cook. Then add the smoked fish followed by rice. Spread the rice and the fish evenly.
When the rice have started to brown from the bottom, poke a hole in the middle of the pan.a dd olive oil and cook eggs. Add salt, pepper, basil, cilantro, mint and scallions and turn off the flame.
serve
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Can I use basmati rice for fried rice?”, and how to make the best basmati fried-rice?
References
https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/basmati-fried-rice-2165643
