If you're tired of eating plain fried rice or want to try some Nigerian specialties, make Nigerian Fried Rice. Boil the rice for a few minutes before frying so that it is fully cooked. Saute the mixed vegetables in the spices until soft and fragrant. Toss the cooked rice in the skillet with the vegetables and stir-fry until the rice is fully cooked. Serve the rice with your favorite protein source.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (185 grams) rice
- Water or beef stock for cooking rice
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt, optional
- Smoked fish for pre-cooked rice, optional
- Smoked prawns for pre-cooked rice, optional
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon (20 ml) vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) chopped onion
- 3 tablespoons (24 grams) freshwater crayfish
- 1 1/2 cups (230 grams) vegetables, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 grams) pepper
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) Nigerian or Jamaican curry powder
- 1 to 3 ready-to-use stock (such as Maggi or Knorr)
- cup (165 grams) smoked shrimp or crayfish
- Chopped scallions for garnish
To make 3 to 6 servings of fried rice
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cooking Plain Rice
Step 1. Wash the rice with cold water
Place 1 cup (185 grams) of rice in a fine mesh sieve. Place the rice under running water and use your hands to wash it gently. You can use ofada rice, basmati, white rice, or jasmine rice to make this dish.
Step 2. Pour water or beef stock into a saucepan and add seasonings to taste
Pour enough water or beef stock into the saucepan until it is full. The amount of water needed depends on the size of the pan. If you want to make it even more delicious, use these ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- smoked fish
- Smoked Shrimp
Step 3. Bring water or beef stock to a boil
Turn on high heat and let the liquid in the pot boil. Do not cover the pot while it is boiling. This will prevent it from spilling.
Step 4. Stir and boil the rice for 5 minutes
Add the washed rice to the boiling water in a saucepan. Boil for 5 minutes to soften and absorb water. If liquid spills, reduce the intensity of the heat from high to medium.
Step 5. Remove some of the water and cook the rice for 3 to 5 minutes
Put on oven mitts and carefully remove the water or stock from the pot. Remove the water until the contents of the pot are only 2.5 cm above the top of the rice. Simmer the rice for 3-5 minutes so that it cooks evenly. Turn off the stove.
If you taste the rice, the texture should be so firm when you bite into it
Method 2 of 3: Frying and Seasoning Vegetables
Step 1. Saute the onions for 7-8 minutes
Pour 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vegetable oil into a large skillet or skillet and turn the stove over to medium heat. Once the oil is hot and bubbly, add 1/2 cup (75 grams) of chopped onion. Stir and cook the onions until soft and translucent.
You can use large pieces of onion or cut them into small pieces according to your taste
Step 2. Add crayfish and cook the mixture for 1 minute
Add 3 tablespoons (24 grams) of crayfish to the sautéed onions and mix well. Cook the mixture over medium heat until fragrant.
If you can't find the crayfish, you can skip this step, but the end result won't be the same
Step 3. Mix vegetables and seasonings
Add 1 1/2 cups (230 grams) of diced vegetables to the skillet, then sprinkle over teaspoon (0.5 grams) ground pepper, 1 teaspoon (2 grams) Nigerian or Jamaican curry powder, and 1-3 ready-made stock blocks (such as Maggi or Knorr).
You can use frozen vegetables and put them in the pan while they are still frozen. If you want, chop and chop your own vegetables. Try using carrots, corn, green beans, and peas
Step 4. Saute the vegetables with the spices for 2-5 minutes
Saute and stir the vegetables over medium heat until fully cooked. If you are using frozen vegetables, this will need to be done for almost 5 minutes.
- Do not overcook as the vegetables will lose their texture and turn pale in color.
- If the vegetables stick to the pan, pour 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of additional vegetable oil into it.
Method 3 of 3: Frying Rice and Putting Food Together
Step 1. Put the rice in the pan
Transfer the cooked rice to the seasoned vegetables and toss to combine. This rice will turn yellow when mixed with spices.
Step 2. Pour some oil and cook the rice for 2 minutes
Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil into the rice and mix well. Keep stirring on medium heat. The rice will cook and absorb the flavors of the vegetables.
If you want crispier rice, cook the rice in several batches so the pan doesn't overcrowd
Step 3. Add smoked prawns and adjust the seasoning
Add cup (165 grams) of smoked shrimp or crayfish to the rice and stir. Taste the fried rice made and add salt to taste. If the rice is still too firm, add cup (120 ml) of water or beef stock and cook the rice over medium heat until it is to your liking.
If you want to change the taste of the rice, add more crayfish, curry powder, or pepper
Step 4. Serve Nigerian fried rice with protein
Turn off the stove and serve hot rice with fried chicken, grilled chicken, stir-fried shrimp, or roast beef. Garnish the dish with a sprinkling of chopped scallions.
