Gingery Fried Rice With Bok Choy, Mushrooms and Basil Recipe (2024)

Ratings

4

out of 5

1,869

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

Peter

I know this says it serves 4-6 but that’s, like, a guideline right? If I eat all of it that’s cool right?

Clark Taylor

I've read the list of ingredients 3 times and cannot find 'tofu' mentioned.

Lorraine Fina Stevenski

I like Basmati for this recipe, less starchy. And here's a flavor booster I use instead of canola oil when I sir fry: To 1/2 cup unsalted softened butter, add zest and juice of one lemon, and 4 cloves of pressed fresh garlic. This compound butter makes the flavors brighten. Measure what you need for the recipe and keep the rest in the refrigerator for your next stir fry.

Jessica

Without having made this particular recipe, I’d suggest marinating the firm tofu in these flavors, baking it separately then adding it at the end.

Bill B

After looking at the recipe, I saw that I had all the ingredients needed to make a half portion, including two day old brown rice. Took a bit longer than specified to crisp the brown rice. I added chopped setian while frying the rice for protein. The end result was great! Proportions are not critical, I put in more bok choy because that's what I had. A touch of acid (rice vinegar, but lemon juice would probably work) brightened it up at the end.

Rupal

I’m going to swap tofu for egg scrambled into the rice. Quick. Easy. Delicious.

Scott

I wish they'd include prep time in the cooking time, especially when they are aware of it "Get everything chopped and prepped before you pick up the pan, and dinner can be ready in 20." Dinner will not be ready in twenty when you have a half hour of chopping to do!

Barbara

I would stir-fry the tofu first, remove it and then add toward the end to reheat it. This works well for me in many stir-fry recipes.

DolceSanDiego

Clark Taylor - You're not going crazy. Tofu was mentioned in the intro as a "great way to use up spare tofu".

Kristen

add fried egg on top.

Mare Bear

Clark Taylor, tofu is mentioned in the first sentence intro to the recipe because it's the kind of recipe that you toss in whatever is left over in your fridge – including tofu.

Nicole

This was so so good! I used extra basil because mine was going wilty and needed to go and I was NOT sad about it. Also substituted snow peas for frozen peas.

jmee

I've never cooked with bok choy before and loved it. Added a fried egg, a little bacon I had in the refrigerator and some chopped peanuts on top. Truly delicious.

Angelica R

This is my favorite stir fry recipe of all time! I did cut the oil and rice amounts in half and doubled the ginger. I’ve made this a few times now and have started playing with varying vegetables including purple cabbage, broccoli, and bell peppers. This recipe is super versatile and comes together quickly!

Mer

This was amazing, tasted like perfect takeout, but I knew what was in it. I may go a bit lighter on the oil next time as it was more than I'd normally cook with (maybe why it tasted so good...) It seemed like too many mushrooms at the start, but they cook down so much. Definitely worth scrambling an egg into the rice once it's dressed in soy/sesame oil - YUM!

Cynthia D.

I made this for dinner with the miso glazed salmon and it was very good. My family loved it. I made the recipe as written and it served 4.

Jennifer

Added soft tofu that I scrambled with some crisly chili oil before doing the rice. Very good, but will bump up the ginger and the spice level next time. It's a perfect base recipe for egg-free fried rice.

Jean

I used regular bok choy. Bigger leaf.

Jean

I don’t recommend using brown rice

Zoe

Doubled the veggies, added half again as much sesame oil and soy sauce, and scrambled in 4 eggs. Big hit with the family.

750ml

- swapped jalapeno for 2 seeded Thai chilis that gave it just enough bite, and I prefer the aromatics of Thai chilis.- used pre-boiled (in chicken broth) chicken tenders for the protein.-didn't have pre-cooked rice, so I prepped 1.5 cups of jasmine with less than full amount of water, then, once cooked, spread the rice out on a large plate for an hour.

bw

made with a leek and 1/2 cabbage 1/2 bok choy and turned out great!

Laura

Loved this dish. I used coconut oil instead of canola oil. Doubled the ginger. I included the sliced jalapeño. I added 2 scrambled eggs last 2 minutes when the rice was toasting. The basil was really a great addition! I scarfed down 2 bowls - think it made enough for 6 - 8. Definitely will make again.

John Anderson

ok.. a bit bland. seems to be missing some sort of "pep" even with a jalapeno. Good lunch food the next day, but rather dull for dinner

es

I used leftover rice from a Chinese restaurant. Dish was good, very attractive, filling, and tasty, but needed a little oomph. Next time will add onions and sweet pepper and maybe dried mushrooms.

DallasMom

Vis a vis seasonings, this is the best fried rice recipe I've made. There is a lot of chopping. I read elsewhere to always add a tablespoon or two of butter in the end to give fried rice the feel of restaurant fried rice and I did that here. I'd say any leftover protein works (pork, chicken, seafood). I sure wouldn't specifically cook a protein for this dish. It is, as another commented, the perfect "use leftovers" dish.

Tim

Used the jalapeño and it was perfect. Didn’t use basil but would next time.

Greggo

After the first time I made this, it was in high demand. Tonight I tried it with leftover farro I had in the fridge and vegetables on hand (cauliflower, broccolini, mushrooms and carrots). Quite respectable results and added protein for those considering protein options.👍🏻

Meg

I do not understand why the NYT Cooking recipes always call for way too much oil. Cut the amount in half!

jennysorel

Since it’s a stir-fry, I made this with peanut oil rather than canola. I used asparagus in place of bok choy since that’s what I had in the fridge. Finally, I cooked egg into the mixture because we like our fried rice with egg. I felt it could have used a little more flavor. Will maybe add Thai fish sauce next time à la Nipa Kitpanichvises’ Thai-style fried rice (New York Cookbook by Molly O’Neill).

Private notes are only visible to you.

Gingery Fried Rice With Bok Choy, Mushrooms and Basil Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret of Chinese fried rice? ›

The secret is all in the prep: use precooked rice for the best results, and leftover char siu pork is the perfect flavour burst. Make the fried rice stir-fry sauce by mixing the soy sauce, shaoxing wine and sugar. Prepare, measure and chop all ingredients before cooking.

What gives Chinese fried rice its Flavour? ›

To give your dish that signature fried rice taste, you'll need to drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish. You can even mix in things like garlic powder, ginger root, or Sriracha sauce and chili pepper for a bit of a kick.

Should I put ginger in fried rice? ›

While ginger is the undeniable star of this dish, you can vary the amount to your liking. For optimum bright flavor and warmth, it is added to the skillet after the rice and cooked minimally (the longer ginger cooks, the sweeter it gets).

What gives Chinese fried rice its color? ›

Other recipes get the scarlet pigment from red yeast rice powder. Some cooks even use red food coloring to really nail the trademark char siu look. Either way, the result is a sweet-savory umami bite with a crispy exterior and tender interior that have kept foodies coming back for centuries.

Why does Chinese restaurant fried rice taste so good? ›

The answer: high heat, expert tosses, and something known as 'wok hei. ' As J. Kenji López-Alt writes for Serious Eats, expert cooking with a wok (and the gas range it requires) is one of the main reasons that fried rice from a Chinese restaurant tastes so much better than what you can make at home.

What is the flavor enhancer in fried rice? ›

Soy sauce: I created this recipe using low-sodium soy sauce. So add less if you're using traditional soy sauce. Oyster sauce: This is a major flavor booster in fried rice and (don't worry) doesn't taste like oysters. You can find it in the Asian section of grocery stores, or order it on Amazon.

What is the difference between fried rice and Chinese fried rice? ›

The usage of rice

But in Chinese rice, it is suggested to use leftover cooked rice to avoid the rice from being sticky. In Fried Rice, most quick-service restaurants (QSRs) use long-grain white rice like Basmati, whereas Jasmine Rice is used in Chinese Rice.

What kind of rice do Chinese restaurants use for fried rice? ›

Which rice is best for fried rice? Pick a medium-grain white rice, which is the standard in Chinese cuisine. A fresh batch of this variety turns out sticky in your rice cooker, which makes it easy to eat with chopsticks, yet it also has the ability to separate into individual grains.

Why does Chinese food taste better at a restaurant? ›

Restaurants will have a long list of ingredients prepped, including stocks, sauces, lots of different spices, dark, light, and regular soy sauce, etc. Many home cooks will skimp/compromise on some of these for convenience, unless it's a special occasion.

Why do Chinese eat ginger? ›

In China, for example, ginger has been used to help digestion and treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea for more than 2,000 years. Ginger has also been used to help treat arthritis, colic, diarrhea, and heart conditions.

Why do Chinese use ginger in cooking? ›

Ginger was used in 48% of Chinese dish, the proportion being highest when meat or fish was boiled or steamed. This suggests that ginger was mainly used as a deodorant or for enhancing the flavor and taste.

What are the benefits of ginger in rice? ›

Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help support a healthy immune system and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, ginger is believed to aid in digestion and alleviate nausea, making ginger rice not only a tasty addition to your meal but also a beneficial one.

Why is Chinese take out fried rice yellow? ›

Actually, the yellow colour of the fried rice came from the beaten eggs. The beaten eggs is the one that gives the yellow colour to the Fried Rice. This type of Fried Rice is called “Golden Egg Fried Rice.”

What are the black dots in fried rice? ›

The most common cause of black spots in rice is the presence of insects, particularly weevils or beetles, which can lay eggs in rice grains. These eggs can hatch and develop into larvae that feed on the rice grains, leaving behind tiny black dots or specks.

Why is Chinese fried rice so dark? ›

Dark mushroom soy sauce is what gives this fried rice its rich brown/caramel colour. This soy sauce doesn't add much to the saltiness but is used to give dishes that nice caramel brown colour. Dark mushroom soy sauce also adds a hint of umami to a dish, but not much saltiness.

What are some secrets for perfect fried rice? ›

4 Secrets for Making Perfect Fried Rice
  • Start with a Seasoned Wok. Seasoned woks are naturally nonstick, which allows you to cook with less oil. ...
  • Use Cold Brown Rice. You'll need 2 cups of cooked rice for 4 servings of fried rice. ...
  • Prep Ahead. ...
  • Cook over High Heat.
Jul 21, 2023

Do Chinese restaurants use butter in fried rice? ›

That's one of the major differences between how Chinese and Japanese restaurants prepare fried rice. Whereas the former only uses oil, the latter cooks leftover grains with butter (plus soy sauce).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Stevie Stamm

Last Updated:

Views: 6180

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Stevie Stamm

Birthday: 1996-06-22

Address: Apt. 419 4200 Sipes Estate, East Delmerview, WY 05617

Phone: +342332224300

Job: Future Advertising Analyst

Hobby: Leather crafting, Puzzles, Leather crafting, scrapbook, Urban exploration, Cabaret, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is Stevie Stamm, I am a colorful, sparkling, splendid, vast, open, hilarious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.