Fried Rice

Fried rice is a unique recipe in one main way. In Hibachi-style restaurants, it is made right in front of you on the hot grill. As someone who is curious about cooking technique and looking for the next new recipe, I'm always watching the tricks the chef has up his/her sleeve. No, I don't mean the egg in the hat or the rubber chicken (haha) but these are fun to watch too.

What I like to watch are the things like the oil or spray the chef uses on the grill, the temperature of the grill, the way the cold rice looks before it is put on the grill, the order the ingredients are added, etc.

I've been to a handful of Hibachi restaurants and have found things that are consistent such as:

The high heat of the grill
The use of cold rice clumped up in a ball
The use of high smoke point oil or grill spray
The use of butter
The use of garlic
The use of some soy sauce mixture (sometimes called Coca Cola)
Adding egg at the end

The result of the cooked rice is fairly consistent. The rice will have a slightly nutty, smokey flavor. The rice kernels will be a consistent brownish color and the kernels will not be clumpy. Each kernel will have separation and be a slightly crisp (but not in an uncooked way).

Here is my take on this recipe.

Ingredients

3 Cups Uncooked Jasmin Rice
Stick of Butter
4 Tablespoons of Minced Garlic (to your liking)
4 Eggs (to your liking)
2 Packs of Mire Pois (carrot, onion, celery)
Korean BBQ Seasoning
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Salt/Pepper
Peanut Oil or High Heat Grill Spray

1. On the night before, make rice according to package directions.
2. (Optional) Pour on thin pan and let cool for about 20 minutes.
3. Cover and put pan in refrigerator.
4. On the next day, preheat pan or grill to high
5. Spray or oil pan.
6. Add a little bit of rice. Do in small batches. Single layer across pan.
7. Put some more spray or oil on the rice.
8. Pour some Korean BBQ spice on the rice.
9. Pour Soy Sauce on the rice.
10. Put some butter in the rice. Stir until mostly melted.
10. Return rice to original pan so you can cook the vegetables. Repeat if more.
11. Spray pan. Add mire pois.
12. Spray top of mire pois.
13. Add salt/pepper, soy sauce, butter.
14. Transfer rice back to cooking pan.
15. Add garlic/onion powder and more salt/pepper to taste.
16. Make space on side of pan by pushing rice to side and spray it.
17. Crack 4 eggs. Get them brown and bubbly.
18. Chop them some and stir with the rest of the rice.
19. Enjoy