One needs to learn how to make fried rice before having the dish correctly. Yes, cooking might not be difficult, but sincerely speaking, cooking fried rice is not as simple as you think, so we are putting up this tutorial for you.

Nigerian fried rice is arguably the best version in the world, we don’t mean to brag but that is the truth. We are not here to praise the dish but how to make the dish.

If you enjoy the flavour of traditional Nigerian cuisine, give Nigerian fried rice a chance! Parboil the rice for a few minutes before you cook it in chicken stock.

Then, fry the mixed vegetables in seasonings, stir the cooked rice into the vegetables, and fry the mixture for about 5 minutes. Serve the fried rice immediately for the best flavour and texture.

Ingredients for Fried Rice

These ingredients are listed based on the budget and quantity of rice the cook is setting out to achieve. However, a typical Nigerian fried rice should contain the following:

1. 1 cup (128 g) of diced mixed vegetables

2. 1 cup (128 g) of cubed beef liver (optional)

3. 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of thyme

4. 1 teaspoon (5 g) of Nigerian or Jamaican curry powder

5. 1 stock cube

6. Salt (to taste)

7. Chopped scallions to garnish

How to Make Fried Rice

Place a pan big enough to cook rice on medium heat, add oil, heat until hot, add chopped onions, curry powder, thyme and powder and fry for about one minute to release the fragrance then add washed rice and stir continuously for about 2-3 minutes. (Don’t let the rice stick to the bottom of the pot)

Add chicken stock (if the stock is not enough to cover the rice, add water to it) ginger, garlic and seasoning. Reduce heat and simmer until tender.

Check-in between cooking time, add water to the rice if needed and don’t forget to check for salt and seasoning and adjust to suit your taste

Whilst you are waiting for your rice to cook, you can stir-fry the vegetables or just wait till the rice is cooked.

Place a wok or skillet on medium heat, add oil and butter and heat until hot. Add the vegetables, prawns, and salt and stir fry for another 3 minutes, add a pinch of curry and thyme and stir continuously for another 3 minutes or until veggies are tender but not overcooked.

If you are using processed green peas, don’t add to your stir fry as it would go mushy. Add it 2 minutes to the end of the cooking time.

Now moving on to the next bit,

If you used a large skillet to stir fry the veggies, add the cooked rice to it, and mix until fully combined. Check for salt and seasoning and adjust to suit. Alternatively, add the stir-fried veggies to the rice. Mix to combine and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

Take it off the heat and serve.