Want soft but not lumpy fried rice? Here's how to make your fried rice perfect

foto ilustrasi: YouTube/Dapur Najah

Often when making fried rice, many people face problems: the rice is too soft, clumpy, or too dry.

Brilio.net - Fried rice is one of the favorite foods that never fails to pamper the tongue. From morning, noon, to night, fried rice is a practical choice that can be enjoyed at any time. Not only delicious, fried rice can also be adjusted with various ingredients, from eggs, chicken, to seafood . However, often when making fried rice, many face problems: the rice is too soft, lumpy, or too dry. If you want to know how to make fried rice that is soft, but still separate and not lumpy, check out the following tips to make your fried rice perfect.

Before discussing how to solve the problem of lumpy fried rice , it is better to first identify the cause. Some common factors that make fried rice taste bad are:

- Freshly Cooked Rice: Using freshly cooked and still hot rice usually makes it easier for the rice to absorb water and become soft. Rice that is still warm also sticks together more easily, resulting in lumpy fried rice.

- Excessive Use of Oil or Soy Sauce: Using too much oil or soy sauce when cooking fried rice can cause the rice to become too wet and sticky, making it difficult to separate properly.

- Too Low Heat or Too Long Cooking Process: Cooking fried rice on low heat or for too long causes the rice to absorb too much oil and seasoning, which ultimately makes the rice soft and soggy.

- Excessive Rice Moisture: Rice that is not left to sit overnight or is not allowed to cool before cooking will usually contain more moisture, which makes fried rice mushy.

How to make fried rice soft and not lumpy
illustration photo: Najah's Kitchen

So that your fried rice is soft but remains separate and not lumpy, there are several steps you need to pay attention to:

1 Use cold rice or leftover rice from last night.

Rice that has been left overnight or refrigerated will be drier, because the moisture has evaporated. Rice left overnight tends to separate more easily, so the fried rice will turn out better. If you are using freshly cooked rice, be sure to wait a few hours for the rice to dry out a bit. Don't cook hot rice right away!

2 Choose the right type of rice

The type of rice also affects the texture of fried rice. For separate fried rice, choose a type of rice that is slightly dry or not too fluffy, such as the type of rice used to make regular white rice. Rice that is too fluffy or sticky tends to make the fried rice become lumpy and not separate easily.

3 Separate the rice with a fork

Before cooking, use a fork to separate the cooled rice grains. Separate the rice carefully so that the grains do not clump together and separate more easily when cooked.

4 Sufficient heating of the oil

One of the most important factors in making perfect fried rice is heating the oil. Make sure the oil is hot enough before you put the rice in the pan. Oil that is too cold or not hot enough can cause the rice to absorb too much oil, resulting in it being soft and soggy.

5 Use high heat

Don't be afraid to cook fried rice over high heat. High heat will cook the rice quickly and the seasoning will soak in quickly without making the rice soggy. Cooking over low heat exposes the rice to heat for longer, so it will absorb moisture and seasoning more easily, which can make it soft and soggy.

Apart from keeping the rice from becoming lumpy, the way you stir-fry the spices also affects the final result of the fried rice. Here are some tips to ensure the spices are absorbed perfectly:

1. Saute the spices until fragrant before adding the rice.

Sauteing the spices until fragrant before adding the rice is very important. The process of sauteing the spices will bring out the maximum aroma and taste, so that the spices can be absorbed into the rice better. Saute the garlic, shallots, and chilies until fragrant, then add the rice.

2 Add soy sauce to taste

Sweet soy sauce is a seasoning that cannot be missed in fried rice, but make sure to add it in moderation. Excessive use of soy sauce can make fried rice wet and sticky. Choose sweet soy sauce that is not too thick for better results.

3 Add other spices to enhance the flavor.

Seasonings such as salt, pepper, and powdered broth are essential to give more flavor to fried rice. In addition, add complementary ingredients such as eggs, chicken, or seafood that have been cooked beforehand to create a rich fried rice flavor.

While our goal is fluffy fried rice, we also need to avoid fried rice that is too dry. If your fried rice feels dry after cooking, there are a few ways to fix it:

- Do not saute the rice for too long. Once the spices have been absorbed, immediately add the rice and stir well.

- If it feels too dry, you can add a little oil or even a little water to keep the fried rice moist.

- Make sure the heat is not too high after the spices have been absorbed so that the rice does not dry out or burn quickly.

Perfect fried rice is not only about taste, but also the right texture. By following the simple tips above, you can make fried rice that is soft, flaky and not lumpy. Don't forget to use rice that has been cold or left over overnight, choose the right type of rice, and make sure the oil is heated and the fire is used correctly.

(brl/tin)