Chinese rice, also known as Chinese-style cooked rice or "zhāofàn" in Chinese, is a staple dish in Chinese cuisine. Here's a simple recipe to prepare delicious Chinese rice:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked white or jasmine rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, diced (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions:
- Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic (if using) and stir-fry until they are translucent.
- Add the rice to the saucepan and stir-fry for about 2 minutes, until the rice is coated in oil and slightly toasted.
- Add the water to the saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is cooked.
- Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and season with salt to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped scallions (if desired).
Tips:
- Use a non-stick saucepan to prevent the rice from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Use the right water-to-rice ratio: 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of uncooked rice.
- Don't overmix the rice while it's cooking, as this can make it sticky and clumpy.
- Let the rice rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the grains to separate and the rice to cool slightly.
Enjoy your delicious Chinese rice!