KitchenKlout Shrimp Fried Rice: Would Uncle Roger Approve?
KitchenKlout Shrimp Fried Rice: Would Uncle Roger Approve?
Carrot + celery in fried rice: crime or acceptable? We put it to the test in our latest cooking challenge.
The Controversy That Started It All
When we decided to tackle shrimp fried rice for our KitchenKlout Challenge, we knew we were stepping into dangerous territory. Uncle Roger has made his feelings clear about certain ingredients in fried rice, but we wanted to see if we could walk the line between tradition and innovation.
Watch the full cooking challenge on YouTube to see if our fried rice survives the roast!
KitchenKlout Shrimp Fried Rice
Yield: 2–3 servings
Rice: 3 cups cooked day-old rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked day-old rice, chilled overnight
- Fresh shrimp, cleaned and peeled
- 2 eggs
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- Scallions, chopped
- 1 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced or diced
- 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
- Peanut oil, for cooking
- Chili oil, to finish
Sauce
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- ¼ tsp MSG
- 1 tsp fish sauce
Adjust to taste depending on how salty your soy sauce and fish sauce are.
Prep
- Cook the rice the day before and refrigerate overnight uncovered or loosely covered so it dries out.
- Before cooking, break up the cold rice by hand. Put a small amount of peanut oil on gloved hands first. This keeps the rice from sticking to your hands and helps separate the grains before it hits the wok.
- Clean and peel the shrimp.
- Mince the garlic using our Stainless Steel Wooden Handle Multifunctional Kitchen Grater.
- Chop the scallions. Use the whites earlier in the cook and save the greens for the end if available.
- Peel and slice or dice the carrot thinly so it cooks fast.
- Slice the celery thinly.
- Mix the sauce in a small bowl before cooking.
Cooking Method
- Heat the wok over high heat until very hot.
- Add peanut oil.
- Add the shrimp and sear quickly, less than 1 minute. Remove the shrimp before it fully cooks through.
- Add a little more peanut oil.
- Crack in 2 eggs and stir-fry quickly until soft pieces form.
- Add scallion whites and garlic. Fry briefly until fragrant.
- Add carrot and celery. Stir-fry for a few seconds so they start to soften but keep some crunch.
- Add 3 cups day-old rice.
- Add the sauce.
- Toss the rice with a large metal spatula. Do not mash or over-stir. Keep the rice moving so it does not get squishy.
- Lift and shake the pan slightly as needed to keep the rice from sticking.
- Return the shrimp after the sauce goes in and toss until the shrimp is just cooked through.
- Turn off the heat.
- Plate the fried rice.
- Add a small dab of chili oil in the center to taste.
- Serve hot.
Key Notes
- Use dry, cold, day-old rice. Do not use wet or freshly steamed rice.
- Sear shrimp briefly so it stays juicy.
- Mix the sauce before cooking because fried rice moves fast.
- Toss the rice instead of mashing it.
- The carrot and celery are intentionally controversial, but they add crunch and sweetness.
The KitchenKlout Tools That Made It Possible
2-in-1 Scissors Cutting Board Knife
This all-in-one tool handled our prep work with precision. The built-in measuring guides ensured consistent vegetable sizing, while the scissors made quick work of trimming shrimp and scallions.
Stainless Steel Wooden Handle Multifunctional Kitchen Grater
Perfect for mincing garlic and ginger without the mess. The multiple grating surfaces gave us options for different textures.
The Verdict: Crime or Acceptable?
After tasting our creation, we have to admit: the carrot and celery added a pleasant crunch and subtle sweetness that complemented the savory elements. While purists might argue against their inclusion, we found they brought balance to the dish.
Would Uncle Roger approve? We're not sure, but we're willing to take the risk for flavor.
Join the Debate
What do you think? Is carrot and celery in fried rice:
- A culinary crime that deserves a roasting?
- An acceptable innovation that enhances the dish?
- Something in between - depends on execution?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Ready to Try This Recipe Yourself?
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This recipe is part of our ongoing KitchenKlout Challenge series where we test kitchen gadgets and share authentic cooking techniques. All products featured are available in our online store.
