Brown rice is a healthy alternative to the traditional white rice. The fact that the brown rice is more healthier and has more nutrients is because in brown rice only the outer layer called hull is removed from the rice kernel. While the white rice is refined several times thus loosing most of the nutrients.
Growing up or even as an adult the only rice we have ever used is white rice. So, when we decided to use brown rice on daily basis it was quite challenging. Initially even had hard time getting the right consistency in cooking the brown rice. After few disasters I have slowly but steadily graduated in making dishes using brown rice. In addition to eating brown rice with traditional South Indian dishes like pappu (dal), sambar or Koora, i make brown rice pulav,brown rice puliyogare, brown rice kichidi and fried rice to name a few.
Today’s recipe which I will be sharing is fried rice using brown rice. It’s a super fast recipe and a one pot meal which can be put together in 30 minutes or less.Love that fact. It is very versatile and could be made with a wide selection of vegetables. Today I just used what ever I had in my fridge ( beans, peas, corn, bell pepper, mushroom and broccoli). If you have tofu please do use it for the extra protein.Even baby corn would be a nice addition in this fried rice.
An excellent way to use up some left over rice as well. This is a really filling dish which does not require any accompaniment.
Recipe :
Ingredients
- Cooked Brown rice- about 3 cups
- Few broccoli florets
- About 12 button mushrooms sliced
- Small Green and orange bell pepper -1 each sliced thin
- Green peas – ¼ th cup
- Corn- ¼th cup
- Few green beans cut to one inch pieces
- green chilly- 2 chopped fine (optional)
- Small onion or ( 2 shallots)- sliced thin
- A generous pinch of red chilly flakes
- Ginger -½ inch chopped fine
- Garlic pods-2 chopped fine
- Soy sauce- 2 to 3 tbsp
- Tomato chili sauce- 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste and
- Lemon juice to taste
- Spring onion for garnish
Cooking brown rice –
- Each brand of brown rice seems to require different amount of water. The first time you are using brown rice put 2 ½ cups of water and see how the consistency comes out. If its too dry after its cooked, you can add little more water to it. If the rice is still wet or has water underneath, then add less water.
- I used Kohinoor basmati rice which took about 2 ½ cups of water for 1 cup of rice. Soak the brown rice in water for fifteen minutes prior to cooking it. I prefer making brown rice in a rice cooker.
- Cool the brown rice completely before using it for the fried rice.
Procedure:
- In a large wok or a skillet heat the vegetable oil. When the oil gets hot add the onion (or shallots) , green chilly, ginger and garlic. Stir well and cook until the onion have softened.
- Add the frozen peas, corn and beans. Cook for two minutes. Now add the broccoli, mushroom and bell pepper. Cook stirring continuously for another 3 minutes. Now add the red chilly flakes and some salt. Not too much salt. ( soy sauce has some salt in it).
- Add the rice. Mix well for a minute. Stir in the soy sauce and tomato chili sauce. Add some freshly squeezed lemon juice and spring onion. Turn off the heat.
- Transfer to serving dish and serve immediately garnished with some coriander leaves.
Ravi chandra
Good to see fried rice texture with brown rice.will try..Thanks.
Madhavi
Thank you!
Dipti
Fried rice looks very tasty and colorful with all the veggies, I will try making this week…thanks for sharing this recipe..
basmati rice
SpicyKitchen
Hi Madhavi,,,looks yummy nd healthy…..should try this..thanks 🙂
Sireesha Puppala
thats a fantastic rice cooked perfectly..love the pot click madhu
-Siri
anusha praveen
Hey Madhavi! found you from Cooks Joy. And glad that i did. Nice blog and yummy clicks. Healthy alternative to fried rice.
Vardhini
Healthy fried rice and your clicks are inviting.
Vardhini
Event: New U – 2013
Madhavi K
Thanks Vardhini!
Louise Van Weezel
I love indian rice recipes like this, looks very tasty. On eof my favourite recipes is this Biryani by Tilda http://www.tilda.com/public-recipes/lamb-biryani-2, think you would love it too.
Madhavi K
Thanks Louise. Do try it!
Chat 2 Friend
Excellent post about indian recipes, you have a wide range of indian recipes list available, helpful site – thanks
Indian Racipes
Madhavi K
Thanks!
Sandhya
Fried rice looks very tasty and colorful with all the veggies, I will try making this week.
Great post!!!
Madhavi K
Thanks Sandhya! Do let me know how it turns out.
Ramya Krishnamurthy
yummy madhu and healthy too.
Madhavi K
Thanks Ramya!