Do you order mushroom fried rice when you go out for a curry?
Mushroom fried rice is one of the most popular rice side dishes at curry houses. I must have been asked for the recipe hundreds of times before finally posting this mushroom fried rice recipe for all to enjoy. You are going to get a real curry house experience with this recipe!
About this mushroom fried rice recipe
I've seen mushroom fried rice prepared at restaurant many times. The recipes are usually quite similar. The rice is alway cooked earlier in the day and then chilled.
Then you take it out of the fridge just before frying it up with the other ingredients. The whole process only takes minutes when your rice is cooked and chilled so this is any excellent way for you to use up leftover Basmati rice.
How do you cook mushroom fried rice?
As mentioned above, mushroom fried rice is prepared with cooked and chilled rice. This is essential to the success of the recipe! If you cook warm rice it will fall apart and become stodgy.
So all you need to do to make the most fantastic mushroom fried rice in minutes, is fry the spices, mushrooms and bell pepper in the ghee. Then add the cooked cold rice to heat through and you're done!
Can you use any Basmati rice?
Yes but you will get far better results if you source the best quality, aged Basmati rice you can get your hands on. I use VeeTee Extra Long Premium Rice.
Other brands are also fine. Just ensure that the packaging states that the Basmati is long grain and aged.
Working ahead
If more convenient, you can allow the rice to soak overnight. This is not at all necessary but it won't hurt the rice to soak longer.
How long does mushroom fried rice keep in the fridge.
You need to take into account how old your cooked white rice is. Altogether, if you cook the rice and then fry your mushroom fried rice, it should keep for a good 3 days in the the fridge.
Can you freeze mushroom fried rice?
Yes. I do it all the time so I can just take it out and heat it up. You can will freeze mushroom fried rice for at least 6 months. Just be sure to freeze it in portion sizes that work for you.
You don't want to freeze it all in one large container if you only want to serve yourself.
How do you reheat mushroom fried rice?
Whether you place it in the freezer or fridge, the easiest way to heat up your mushroom fried rice is in a microwave.
If you are cooking it from the fridge, your mushroom fried rice should heat up in about a minute. You can microwave your the rice from frozen in the covered container in 3 to 4 minutes.
Just ensure that it is steaming hot before serving.
Can this recipe be upscaled or downscaled?
Yes. Just double or halve the ingredients.
Generally speaking, 185g (1 1/2 cups) of raw rice will make two generous portions of cooked rice, though when served as part of a larger meal, you can probably stretch that to three people.
If upscaling, the water to raw rice ratio is 1 part rice to 1 1/2 parts water.
If doubling this recipe, however it is important that you use a pan that is large enough or the rice won't cook correctly.
When your rice is in your sauce pan covered with the water, the pan should be no more the 1/3 full so that the rice has plenty of room to expand.
What do you serve this rice dish with?
If you want to make a simple meal, you could just serve it topped with a nice chutney or two.
It's also delicious served with dal, either on the side or over the top. Here are a few popular dal recipes for you.
Of course this rice will go well with pretty much any curry. Try some of these chicken, lamb, veggie and seafood curries. You might also like to try your jeera rice as a side for curry house style curry.
Is there a way of making this mushroom fried rice into a meal?
Yes. When heating the ghee and spices, you could add some cubed paneer or minced (ground) meat or chicken tikka. Cook it through and then stir in the rice.
You'll have a delicious restaurant style biryani in minutes!
Pro Tips
- Always ensure you cook your rice correctly. There are many ways to do this but this recipe will get you perfect results every time.
- Never stir the rice too vigorously. You just want to move it around in the hot ghee until heated through.
- Season carefully. If adding salt or turmeric, be sure to add these to taste. If you cooked rice per my recipe, you will have already added salt so be careful when finishing this off.
Step by step photographs
BIR Style Special Fried Mushroom Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 4 - 6 mushrooms finely sliced or finely chopped (your preference)
- 1/2 red pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 small onion
- 600g (3 cups) cold cooked basmati rice
- 1/2 tsp to 1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 3 chives or spring onions, thinly sliced at an angle
- Salt if needed to taste
Instructions
- Heat the ghee/oil in a large pan or wok over a medium high heat. When visibly hot, add the cumin seeds and allow them to infuse into the hot ghee for about 30 seconds. Then add the mushrooms and stir fry them with the cumin seeds for a couple of minutes to cook through.
- Stir in the chopped red pepper and onion and toss it all around in your hot pan. Stir briskly and hard, scraping it all around in your pan with a spatula or spoon.
- Add the ground turmeric. Some people prefer only enough to colour it lightly as turmeric has an intense, bitter flavour. If unsure, you can always sprinkle in a little more to taste while you fry the rice.
- Pour in your cold rice and stir it into the oil. You don't want to stir the rice too harshly as it has a tendency to turn to mush if you stir vigorously. Scrape from the bottom of the pan and move the rice around so that it fries and heats up evenly.
- Continue moving the rice around in the pan for about 3 minutes ensuring it is coated with all the other ingredients. The rice needs to be piping hot before serving.
- Season with salt and top with the chopped chives or spring onions to serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 158Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 149mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g
Calogero Mira says
Fried mushroom Basmati rice? Excellent.
Paul Gosling says
This is the simplest yet most comparable recipe for MFR I've ever tried. Thoroughly recommend it. I tweaked with the addition of raisins rather than the pepper (as I didn't have any) and added some crispy onions at the end.
Dan Toombs says
Sounds excellent Paul. Thank you.
Dan
sarah says
Absolutely delicious and easy,used chopped red onions as didn't have pepper ❤️
Dan Toombs says
Great to hear, thanks for letting me know.
Dan
Sharon says
Just spot on
Dan Toombs says
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Dan