National Dish China: Yangzhou Fried Rice (Recipe)
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Discover Yangzhou Fried Rice, one of China’s most celebrated dishes! This comforting plateful brings together fluffy rice, fresh vegetables and fragrant aromatics for a meal that delights the senses. With its tender prawns, scattering of peas and carrots and a savoury hit of soy, it makes a wonderful side as readily as a satisfying main. Bring a taste of the Far East straight to your own kitchen with this enduring classic.
About Yangzhou Fried Rice
Yangzhou Fried Rice is far more than a simple plate of rice; it is a genuine symbol of Chinese cuisine. It originally hails from the city of Yangzhou in Jiangsu province and has since made a name for itself the world over. The perfect partnership of fluffy rice, fresh vegetables and succulent prawns turns this dish into a real feast for the senses. It is often served as a popular side, though it is equally enjoyable as a main course in its own right.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 100 g prawns, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Shopping for the ingredients
For the very best results, it is worth buying the ingredients for your Yangzhou Fried Rice fresh. Fresh jasmine rice is the ideal choice, as it offers a distinctive texture and a delicate aroma. The prawns, too, should be of good quality so they bring out the delicious flavours of the dish. Don’t forget to pick up the soy sauce and sesame oil in the right quantities, as these are what give the dish its unmistakable character.
Preparing the dish
A little preparation goes a long way towards making sure your Yangzhou Fried Rice turns out perfectly. To begin with, it is best to cook the rice the day before, as it works far better once it has been thoroughly chilled. It is also a good idea to marinate the prawns to lend them a touch more flavour. Have your seasonings and fresh ingredients to hand as well, so the cooking process runs smoothly from start to finish.
Step-by-step instructions
- Heat the sesame oil in a large frying pan or wok over a medium heat.
- Add the spring onions and the vegetables and stir-fry for around 2 minutes.
- Add the prawns to the pan and cook until they are done through.
- Push the ingredients to the side of the pan and crack the eggs into the middle, scrambling them as they set.
- Add the chilled rice and toss everything together well.
- Pour over the soy sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Keep frying, stirring constantly, until everything is piping hot.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
The Yangzhou Fried Rice is easily adapted to be both gluten-free and lactose-free. Simply use gluten-free soy sauce in place of the traditional kind. The dish itself contains no dairy products, so it is naturally lactose-free. Do take care to check that all the other ingredients are gluten-free as well, to guarantee a worry-free meal.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Vegan and vegetarian versions of Yangzhou Fried Rice are simple to prepare. Replace the prawns with your preferred tofu or vegetable alternatives, much as you would in a comforting bowl of Di San Xian. Make sure the soy sauce you use is vegan-friendly, and consider adding extra vegetables such as peppers or broccoli to make the dish even healthier and more nourishing.
More tips and tricks
To achieve the perfect Yangzhou Fried Rice, remember that the rice should be well chilled before you use it. This stops it from turning mushy in the pan. Another handy tip is to cut your ingredients to an even size so they cook uniformly. Using a wok can also improve the cooking process, as it allows for a better distribution of heat.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
The beauty of Yangzhou Fried Rice is that you can tailor it entirely to your own palate. Like it spicier? Add a little chilli oil or some fresh chilli. Prefer more vegetables? Experiment with seasonal vegetables and expand on the recipe to your heart’s content. The possibilities are all but endless, leaving you plenty of room for creativity.
Ingredient substitutions
If you don’t have every ingredient to hand, there’s no need to worry! Instead of prawns, you could use chicken or seitan to create a meat-free option. For the eggs, you might choose a plant-based scramble alternative to make a vegan version. Be inventive and think about what you can swap in your own kitchen to adapt the dish to suit you.
Drink pairing ideas
A variety of drinks can be served to round off your Yangzhou Fried Rice beautifully. A cup of green tea is not only refreshing but also aids digestion after a hearty meal. Alternatively, you might enjoy a fresh ginger lemonade, which offers a zingy, sweet-and-sour note. Beer lovers, meanwhile, could consider an Asian lager, which pairs nicely with the savoury flavours of the dish.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation plays an important part in serving Yangzhou Fried Rice. Surprise your guests by arranging the dish on a shallow serving platter and garnishing it with fresh herbs such as coriander or parsley. Lend the table an Asian touch with traditional chopsticks or dainty porcelain plates. The combination of colours and textures makes the dish look even more appetising.
A bit of history
The origins of Yangzhou Fried Rice lie in the city of Yangzhou, renowned for its rich culinary traditions. The dish grew in popularity from the 19th century onwards, as travel within China increased and brought greater influences from different regions. The recipe has evolved over the years and is today one of the most famous dishes in all of Chinese cuisine. It is loved not only in China but has won countless admirers around the world.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Yangzhou Fried Rice
In short, Yangzhou Fried Rice is a delicious and versatile dish suited to any occasion. It unites traditional flavours from the Chinese kitchen and lends itself readily to adaptation. Whether made with seafood, with vegetables or in a vegan version, the scope for putting your own stamp on it is all but limitless. Give it a try and enjoy a little piece of China in your very own kitchen!
