Delicious and Easy Egyptian Fried Rice Recipe
Fellow food enthusiasts, I bring you a recipe that is sure to excite your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant land of Egypt. Get ready to indulge in the rich flavors and exotic aromas of Egyptian Fried Rice!
This delicious dish has been a staple in Egyptian cuisine for generations, and for good reason. The combination of short-grain rice, vermicelli, and aromatic spices creates a melting pot of flavors that are uniquely Egyptian. The fragrant smell of the spices alone is enough to leave you salivating.
I can already imagine taking my first bite, savoring the perfectly cooked grains of rice with the crunchy texture of the vermicelli. And let’s not forget about the fried onions on top – they add a depth of flavor and crunch that takes this dish to another level.
Whether you’re an experienced cook or just looking for a new culinary adventure, this recipe is sure to impress. So get your pots and pans ready, and let’s embark on a journey to Egypt through this deliciously satisfying recipe for Egyptian Fried Rice!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fellow rice-lovers, rejoice! Have you been searching for a new rice recipe to spice up your dinner routine? Look no further than the delightful Egyptian Fried Rice Recipe. This recipe will not only satisfy your taste buds but also expose you to the flavorful and aromatic wonders of Egyptian cuisine.
What makes this recipe so special is the use of short-grain rice, which is widely used in Egyptian cooking. Not only does it have a unique texture, but it also absorbs flavors incredibly well. The combination of this type of rice with the other ingredients like vermicelli, fried onions, and tomato sauce creates a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Moreover, this recipe is ridiculously easy to make! You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how few ingredients are required for something so delicious. All you need to do is rinse the rice thoroughly, heat oil in a heavy saucepan, add water and salt, and stir in the rice short grain.
Another reason to love this dish is its versatility. The dish can be made into a hearty main course or served as a delightful side dish. You can even customize it by adding seafood, lentils or pasta to make it even more flavorful.
So what are you waiting for? Step outside your comfort zone and give this Egyptian Fried Rice Recipe a try. You won’t regret it!
Ingredient List
Before we begin cooking, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. This Egyptian Fried Rice Recipe requires simple and wholesome ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen. The key ingredient is Egyptian rice, which is also known as short-grain rice.
Here are the ingredients we will need for this recipe:
Rice
- 1 cup of Egyptian rice or any other short-grain rice such as Calrose rice
- ¼ cup of rice vermicelli
Water and salt
- 1 ½ cups of water
- Salt, to taste
Oil
- 1 tablespoon of oil (vegetable, canola or olive)
Bay leaf (optional)
- 1 medium pot
- 1 bay leaf
Fried onions (optional)
- ½ a cup of fried onions
Tomato sauce (optional)
- ½ a cup of tomato sauce
Note: The above ingredients are for basic Egyptian fried rice. You can also add your favorite vegetables, meats, seafood, or eggs to this recipe.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Rinse Rice and Vermicelli
Before cooking the Egyptian Fried Rice Recipe, we need to rinse the 1 ½ cups of short-grain rice and a small bunch of vermicelli. In a fine-mesh colander, wash the rice thoroughly in cold running water until it runs clear. Set aside for about 10 minutes to drain.
Pro Tip: For best results, use Egyptian rice or Calrose rice as they are similar in texture to Egyptian rice.
Step 2: Heat Oil in a Heavy Saucepan
In a heavy saucepan, heat ¼ cup of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot enough, pour the vermicelli into the pot and stir-fry it. Make sure to keep stirring frequently until it turns golden brown.
Step 3: Add Water and Salt to Vermicelli
After the vermicelli is cooked, add three cups of water, a bay leaf and salt to taste. Stir well and bring it to boil.
Step 4: Add Rice
When the water starts boiling, add the well-drained rice to the pan and stir gently with a wooden spoon until everything is combined.
As an avid cook, I love experimenting with different ingredients to add my personal touch to each recipe. Here are some substitutions and variations that you can incorporate into this Egyptian Fried Rice Recipe:
– Instead of using short-grain rice, you can use Calrose rice which has similar texture to Egyptian rice.
– If you want a vegan version of the recipe, skip the seafood and egg and add more fried onions or lentils for extra protein.
– For a fancy twist on this recipe, try adding pasta or fish to create Egyptian Seafood Rice. This hearty meal will surely impress your guests!
– If you’d like to incorporate more flavors into the dish, sauté some garlic with the onions before adding the rice. This will enhance the aroma of the dish and give it an added zest.
– Instead of cooking the rice traditionally on a stove-top, try baking it for a slightly different texture. You can mix in some vermicelli with the rice before baking it to create a baked rice dish that is equally scrumptious.
– To give the dish an extra kick, drizzle some hot sauce over it. The heat from the hot sauce beautifully compliments the flavors found in Egyptian cuisine!
These substitutions and variations provide ample opportunities to customize this recipe and make it your own. Experimenting with new ingredients is not only fun but allows for more variety in your meals!
Serving and Pairing
Egyptian Fried Rice is a perfect dish to serve as a main course or as a side for any meal. It’s versatile nature allows it to be paired with various dishes, be it an Egyptian Koshari, seafood rice or even some baked chicken. The flavorful taste of this dish blends harmoniously with different proteins, making it an ideal pairing for relishing.
You can serve the crispy and delicious Egyptian Fried Rice garnished with some fried onions, tomato sauce or even egg fried on top, just like they do it in Egypt. The sweetness of the fried onions adds a subtle flavor that complements the overall taste of the dish, while the tomato sauce provides a tangy kick that enhances the savory flavor of the rice.
For those who love experimenting, you can add some lentils or pasta to the dish to make it heartier and more filling. Egyptian Fried Rice is also excellent for seafood lovers who can pair it with a scrumptious seafood dish using fish or shrimp.
Overall, consider pairing this dish with anything that satisfies your palate and suits your preference. Trust me – this Egyptian Fried Rice will effortlessly blend well with numerous dishes and elevate your mealtime experience to new heights!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
If you plan to make the Egyptian Fried Rice recipe ahead of time, be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to four days when properly stored. To reheat the rice, place it in a microwave-safe dish and microwave it for two to three minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can heat it up in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until warm.
When reheating, you may find that the rice has become dry. To combat this, add a few splashes of water or chicken broth before reheating. This will help to add moisture back into the rice and give it a fresh taste.
If you have leftover rice, consider using it in other dishes such as soups, salads, or stir-fries. You can also turn the leftover Egyptian Fried Rice into a delicious breakfast dish by adding some scrambled eggs and vegetables for an easy fried rice omelet.
The versatility of this recipe makes it ideal for meal prep and planning ahead. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch or a wholesome dinner option, this dish is perfect for those who want to save time without sacrificing flavor. So go ahead and make a big batch of this wonderful Egyptian Fried Rice – you won’t regret having it on hand!
Tips for Perfect Results
When it comes to cooking Egyptian fried rice, there are a few things you can keep in mind to ensure perfect results every time. Here are some tips that will help you create a dish that is full of flavour and has the perfect texture.
Firstly, make sure to rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking. This will remove excess starch that can cause the rice to become sticky. Rinse the rice under running water until the water runs clear, then set it aside in a colander to drain.
When heating the oil in the heavy saucepan, use medium-high heat. This will ensure that the oil heats up evenly without burning or smoking. You can also use Calrose Rice or any short-grain rice as they have a similar texture to Egyptian rice.
Use just enough water to cook the rice in a medium pot, typically one and a half cups of water for one cup of rice. Adding too much water can make the rice too soft and mushy or too firm and undercooked. On the other hand, adding too little water can leave the rice dry and tough.
One trick to achieving perfect rice is adding a bay leaf into your cooking process, which gives a delicate fragrance to the dish. Make sure not to forget this step which really adds an important dimension of flavors to your recipe!
Lastly, serve your Egyptian fried rice with additional toppings such as fried onions, egg fry or accompanied by delicious Egyptian seafood or fish dishes. The possibilities are endless!
By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to create an amazing Egyptian fried rice recipe that will taste like it was made in Cairo!
FAQ
As with any recipe, there may be some questions that come up as you begin to prepare this Egyptian Fried Rice. Don’t fret, as I have listed some of the most common questions and concerns that may arise while making this dish. Keep reading to get answers to frequently asked questions about this recipe.
What rice is similar to Egyptian rice?
Looking for alternatives to Egyptian rice? If you’re after a substitute that mimics the texture and flavor of Egyptian rice, consider using short-grain Spanish rice like Arborio or Baldo. On the other hand, if you’re not specifically looking for a close match and want to switch up your rice game, you might enjoy the fragrant and aromatic qualities of Jasmine or basmati rice, which were discussed earlier.
Is Calrose Rice same as Egyptian Rice?
Short grain rice is a type of rice that is commonly found in both the US, under the brand name Calrose Rice, and in the UAE, where it is marketed as Egyptian Rice or Rice Misri. This variety of rice has a shorter and wider shape than other types of rice, which results in a softer and stickier texture when cooked.
How do you make Egyptian rice without vermicelli?
To start off this recipe, the first thing to do is to bring a kettle of water to boil. Meanwhile, in a medium-sized pot, melt some butter along with oil. Once melted, add in some cardamom, mastic, and bay leaf, giving them a quick stir. Next, add in the rice and stir it for a couple of minutes on medium heat until it is all covered with the fat. Making use of the same cup that was used to measure the rice, you’ll now add 2.5 cups of the previously boiled water, along with some salt to taste.
What variety is Egyptian rice?
When it comes to Egyptian Rice, the most commonly planted varieties are of the Short and Medium round grain types, with most falling under the japonica classification. Some of the most popular rice types in Egypt include Sakha 101, 102, and 104, as well as Giza 177 and 178.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Egyptian Fried Rice recipe is the perfect dish to add a touch of Egyptian flavor to your meals. It’s easy to make, versatile, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re looking to recreate an authentic Egyptian meal or simply trying to upgrade your usual rice recipe, this dish is sure to impress.
With its unique blend of short-grain rice, vermicelli noodles, and aromatic spices, this recipe is the best way to enjoy the taste of Egypt from the comfort of your own home. And with plenty of variations and substitutions possible, you can customize it however you like.
So why not give this recipe a try? It’s a great way to experience new flavors and expand your culinary skills. Who knows – it may become one of your go-to recipes for dinners, potlucks, or even holidays. Trust me – once you’ve tried this Egyptian Fried Rice recipe, you’ll be hooked!
Egyptian Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 ounces short-grain rice
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 3 cups water
- salt
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under running water thoroughly and set aside in a colander to drain.
- Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan. When the oil is hot, add the rice and fry it until each grain is coated with oil.
- Add the water and salt to taste and stir.
- Cook, uncovered, over moderate heat until the water is absorbed.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 30 minutes more.
- Spoon the top layer of rice into a bowl.
- Remove the browned layer with a spatula, break into pieces and serve alongside the rice.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Mishra Vikas is a digital nomad who loves to explore the world and learn about its cultures. As a programmer, backpacker, and cook, he enjoys sharing his adventures and cooking up delectable dishes. Writing about his experiences, creating tasty recipes, and discovering new places are some of his favorite activities. He’s an avid traveler and passionate chef, always on the lookout for an exciting new journey.