how would you flavour your rice

Chuzzle

to be as close as possible to the microwaveable Uncle Ben's Chinese style Rice? My son adores this rice, infact he won't eat any other rice. But its rather expensive and is probably bursting with nasty additives, so how would you go about flavouring your boiled rice so that it was similar to Uncle Ben's? I've tried fried rice but DS is having none of it.

Raspberry_Swirl

I've not tasted that particular rice in a long time so can't remember the flavouring, but I always go with a sprinkle of Chinese Five Spice powder when I want a Chinesey-taste to things. I add a sprinkle to the water as the rice cooks.

nikki_angel

I always use a stock cube in the water for us but if your son is young, you may need to get the infant stock cubes due to salt content.

Chuzzle

Thanks so far.

Nikki_Angel I have tried the stock cube before but its not chinesy so he turns his nose up - he's 16!

Rapsberry Swirl will give the Chinese 5 spice a go.

I read on the back of the packet that it has onion, red pepper flake, veg oil, chives, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce and spices. So I think I'm going to fry off the veg oil with the onion to soften it a bit then plonk it in the water with the other ingredients and rice and see what happens....its got two chances, he'll either like it or hate it!

kirstyreanne

Hi Chuzzle,

I haven't tried the Uncle Ben's version, but my take on chinese fried rice is this:

If using meat marinade it (doesn't have to be for long) in Soy Sauce, Thai 5 spice & chilli flakes.

Heat oil in the pan & brown the meat, put to one side & dry off a beaten egg which has been mixed with Soy sauce & chilli flakes. I usually leave it until it has started to "set" & then break it up with a spatula.

Return the meat to the pan & add some cooked rice. Add more soy, 5spice & chilli flakes to taste.

Once the meat is cooked it's ready to serve. You may need to add more oil to the pan at any stage, but I usually just see how it pans out.


My partner absolutely loves this & requests it at least once a week!

HTH

Chuzzle

Kirtsy that sounds absolutely lush... except DS don't like fried rice only boiled, but doesn't like it plain boiled - he's an absolute pain in the u no wot!

nikki_angel

In that case, tell him to make his own

Not chinese but if you fancy an indian taste I usually fry an onion with some garlic in oil until golden. Fry this very gently for a couple of minutes with some ground cumin and any other spices you like. Put rinsed rice in and coat with the oil. Add water (1 rice:2 water), bring to the boil, stir once, cover and bring heat right down and simmer until the liquid has gone. DO NOT STIR AGAIN UNTIL THIS HAPPENS! Serve

Algorfa45

I'd go easy on the toasted sesame oil can over kill if not carefull.