If you want to try a new fried rice recipe and cook an exotic dish, you could make Nigerian fried rice. The preparation is simple: to start, blanch the rice for a few minutes before frying it in order to obtain an even cooking. Fry mixed vegetables along with the seasonings until soft and fragrant. Stir the blanched rice along with the vegetables and fry until cooked through. This savory dish can be served with meat, fish, or other sources of protein.
Ingrediants
- 1 cup (185 g) of rice
- Water or meat broth to blanch the rice
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt (optional)
- Smoked fish for blanching rice (optional)
- A handful of smoked shrimp to blanch the rice (optional)
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon (20 ml) of vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup (75 g) chopped onion
- 3 tablespoons (25 g) of ground freshwater shrimp
- 1 ½ cup (250 g) diced mixed vegetables
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) of Nigerian or Jamaican curry
- 1-3 dice (such as Knorr ones)
- ½ cup (165 g) of smoked shrimp or freshwater shrimp
- Chopped shallots for garnish
Doses for 3 or 6 servings
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Blanching the Rice
Step 1. Wash the rice in cold water
Pour 1 cup (185 g) of uncooked rice into a fine mesh colander. Let cold water run over the rice and rinse it gently with your hands. You can use ofada, basmati, white or jasmine rice for this recipe.
Step 2. Pour some water or beef stock into a saucepan and add seasonings if desired
Pour some water or beef broth into a saucepan until it is three-quarters full. The amount of liquid to use depends on the size of the pot. If you want to add toppings, you could use:
- Half a teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt;
- Some smoked fish;
- A handful of smoked shrimp.
Step 3. Bring the water or beef broth to a boil
Turn the heat to high and let the liquid boil. Do not put the lid on the pan to prevent the liquid from overflowing.
Step 4. Discard the rice and boil it for 5 minutes
Pour the washed rice into the pot. Let it boil for 5 minutes to soften it slightly and absorb some water. If the liquid seems to be about to overflow, reduce the heat to medium-high.
Step 5. Drain some of the liquid and boil the rice for 3-5 minutes
Put on oven gloves and partially drain the water or beef broth carefully. Let the rice simmer for another 3-5 minutes, until it is almost cooked through. Turn off the gas.
If you taste rice, when you bite it it should be only slightly compact
Part 2 of 3: Fry and Season the Vegetables
Step 1. Saute the onions for 7-8 minutes
Pour 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vegetable oil into a large skillet or wok and set the heat to medium. Once the oil has become hot, cook half a cup (75 g) of onion. Stir and cook the onion until it wilts.
The onion can be chopped coarsely or finely, depending on your preference
Step 2. Add ground freshwater shrimp and cook for 1 minute
Add 3 tablespoons (25 g) of ground freshwater prawns to the browned onion and mix well. Cook over medium heat until the prawns start to give off their characteristic smell.
If you can't find ground freshwater shrimp you can exclude them from the recipe, but the end result won't be the same
Step 3. Incorporate the vegetables and seasonings
Add 1 1/2 cups (250 g) of diced mixed greens, half a teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground pepper, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of Nigerian or Jamaican curry, and 1-3 cubes (such as Knorr ones).
You can use mixed frozen vegetables and pour them into the pan without defrosting them. Alternatively, chop and dice your favorite greens and vegetables. Try using carrots, corn, green beans, and peas
Step 4. Fry the vegetables for 2-5 minutes
Stir them and cook them evenly over medium heat. If you use frozen vegetables it will take about 5 minutes.
- Avoid overcooking the vegetables, otherwise they will lose their original shape and color.
- If they stick to the pot, add another teaspoon (5ml) of oil.
Part 3 of 3: Fry the Rice and Arrange the Plate
Step 1. Pour the rice into the pan
Transfer the blanched rice to the pan you cooked the vegetables in and mix well. Once you have blended it with the seasonings, the rice should turn slightly yellow.
Step 2. Add oil and fry the rice for 2 minutes
Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil over the rice and mix it to coat the grains well. Continue to mix, letting it cook over medium heat. The rice will finish cooking and absorb the flavor of the vegetables.
To make it crispier, divide it into several piles and fry one at a time to avoid overfilling the pan
Step 3. Add the smoked shrimp and season with salt
Add half a cup (165 g) of smoked shrimp or freshwater shrimp and mix. Taste the rice and season with salt. If it continues to be too hard, pour half a cup (120 ml) of water or broth and cook over medium heat until the desired consistency is achieved.
If you want to change the flavor of the rice, add larger amounts of ground freshwater shrimp, curry, or ground pepper
Step 4. Serve Nigerian Fried Rice with a source of protein
Turn off the heat and serve hot with fried chicken, grilled chicken, sauteed shrimp, or grilled beef. Garnish the dish with chopped shallots.
