Quick and Spicy Vegetable Fried Rice; with readily available chili-garlic paste (homemade or store bought), a few fresh or even frozen vegetables and some precooked rice, this spicy one-pot meal comes together in no time for a quick lunch or dinner.
Spicy vegetable fried rice is a repost of my old post Quick Vegetable Fried Rice posted more than a year ago. I was just a new blogger and as you an see, my photos were hmmm, not to my liking 🙂
Recently, when I needed a quick lunch and I was debating how to make something tasty, spicy (I love my spices and chillies!) and fast, I reached out to some cooked rice from the day before. Try not to make this with fresh rice; you will end up with lumpy fried rice and that is not appetizing!
Basic ingredients:
Some cooked rice, a small bag of frozen mixed vegetables and soy sauce with store bought or homemade chili garlic paste, it could not be easier than this. Spicy chili-garlic paste adds a kick, and soy sauce; well it gives a nice Chinese twist to any dish!
Prep the vegetables:
If you are like me, use fresh vegetables, finely chopped like carrots, beans, broccoli, mushroom, bell peppers, cabbage etc. before you turn on the stove. I could go on but you get the general idea. Short on time? Use frozen vegetables. No one is going to judge you.
Start cooking:
Heat oil on high; it could be any cooking oil, but please no coconut oil! Start with aromatics like onions, garlic, ginger etc. with some green chillies/jalapenos for an additional spicy element. You need to just soften the onions and saute ginger and garlic to remove the raw smell.
At this stage, stir in chili-garlic paste and saute for a few seconds. For a lovely added aroma and flavor, sometimes, I sprinkle a cube of Maggie brand vegetable seasoning cube, crumbled. I don't know how, but it does give any dish a beautiful aroma! If you can find it in any Indian grocery store, do try and add some.
Next, veggies:
If adding fresh veggies, dump them as soon as the onions are soft. Just stir fry on high or medium high if you think it will burn. Cook for just a couple of minutes (no mushy, overcooked veggies in my dish!). Frozen vegetables will take lesser time.
Season:
Mix in the cooked rice, soy and salt to taste; give it a good toss until heated through.
Garnish:
If needed, add finishing touches like finely chopped green onions/scallions or even cilantro. Love nuts then sprinkle some roasted peanuts or ghee-fried cashew nuts!
Now, wasn't that fast and quick? Why would you want any takeout when you can create your own homemade Chinese fried rice! If you love quick cooking, then you must try Mushroom Fried Rice too.
Doesn't a lovely soup sound heavenly with this? Do check out:
Let's learn how to make my version of Chinese spicy fried rice:
Quick and easy spicy vegetable fried rice with homemade chili-garlic paste and soy for a Chinese touch!
Ingredients
- Cooked rice- 1 cup
- Onions ( chopped)-1 medium sized
- Carrots, cabbage, green peas, capsicum etc.: 1/4 to 1/2 cup each (chopped finely)
- Or
- Frozen mixed vegetables (1 to 1 1/2 cups)
- Garlic : 2 cloves, finely chopped or grated
- Ginger : 1/2 inch piece, grated or chopped
- Green chillies – 2, slit or cut into roundels
- 1 dry red chilli, broken into 2 pieces
- Chili-garlic paste – 1 teaspoon (or to taste)
- Soy sauce – 2 teaspoons
- Vegetable Oil – 2 tablespoons
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a kadai or wok. When it is hot, add the onions, garlic, ginger, red chilli and green chillies and saute on a high flame for 1 minute. Add the chilli-garlic paste and fry for a few seconds.
- Add the vegetables and stir fry for about 2 minutes. Do not over cook. They should remain crisp. Add the rice, soy sauce and salt to taste and mix.
- Remember, soy sauce has salt, so add salt accordingly. Keep stirring on a high heat for few more minutes till heated through.
- Serve it hot. Garnish if needed with cilantro or chopped green onions.
- Enjoy and Happy Cooking!
Notes
The same dish can be made with noodles.
Use day old rice or make fresh rice (until just cooked and not too soft) and cool completely before making the fried rice.
Add any vegetable of your choice, fresh or frozen.
For a protein element, stir in cooked chicken, some seafood or for the vegetarians, diced tofu or paneer.
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I am sharing this with : #RecipeoftheWeek and Angie's FiestaFriday along with Jenny @ Dragonfly Home Recipes
Thanx for sharing this looks lovely
Thanks so much Roslin 🙂 Hope you get to try it soon.
This looks like a beautiful and healthy meal! My daughter is a vegetarian, and she would love this rice. Thanks for sharing it at Fiesta Friday!
Thanks Jenny <3 Happy to be part of Fiesta Friday!