Andy Montoya
Fried rice is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, including meat, vegetables, and eggs. While fried rice is delicious on its own, adding cheese takes it to the next level. There are many types of cheese that can be used in fried rice, depending on your preference. Mozzarella, cheddar, Gruyère, Cotija, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and vegan cheese shreds are all popular choices. The key to achieving a crispy texture in your fried rice is to use leftover or dried-out rice, as freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist. By stir-frying the rice with your choice of cheese, you can create a dish that is crispy on the outside and gooey and stretchy on the inside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Mozzarella, Gruyère, Cotija, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Cheddar, Eden Original, Vegan Cheddar, Vegan Mozzarella |
| Type of Rice | White rice, Short- or medium-grain rice, Leftover rice |
| Other Ingredients | Kimchi, Scallions, Green onions, Gochujang, Soy sauce, Rice vinegar, Butter, Sesame oil, Sesame seeds, Seaweed flakes, Oyster sauce, Eggs, Meat, Bacon, Pumpkin, Cabbage, Carrots, Potatoes |
| Pan | Non-stick, Cast iron, Iron skillet |
| Oven Temperature | 180 degrees Celsius |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mozzarella, Gruyère, and Cotija are good cheese options
These three cheeses are a great combination for fried rice as they each bring something different to the dish in terms of flavour and texture. They are also all widely available and popular, so it is likely that you will have at least one of them in your fridge!
Mozzarella is a very popular cheese that is widely used in cooking. It has a mild flavour and is known for its stretchy, stringy texture when melted. It is a good choice for fried rice as it adds a chewy texture and a creamy mouthfeel. Mozzarella also goes well with a variety of other cheeses, so it is a versatile option.
Gruyère is a less common but still easily accessible cheese. It has a strong, slightly salty flavour and a firm, smooth texture. When melted, it becomes creamy and adds a rich, savoury note to the fried rice. Gruyère pairs particularly well with mozzarella, as the two cheeses have complementary textures and flavours.
Cotija is a unique cheese that is not as well-known as mozzarella or Gruyère, but it is worth seeking out for fried rice. Its salty, tangy flavour and dry, crumbly texture add a contrasting note to the softer, milder cheeses. Cotija is also a good cheese to sprinkle on top of the fried rice, as it adds a savoury flavour burst and a textural element.
The Best Cheeses to Compliment Your Pastrami Sandwich
You may want to see also
Kimchi fried rice with cheese
Ingredients:
- Cooked rice (short or medium-grain is preferred, but any variety works)
- Chopped kimchi (cabbage kimchi or a mix of different types)
- Gochujang (a fermented Korean chili paste)
- Low-sodium soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- Rice vinegar
- Sliced scallions (green onions)
- Shredded/grated cheese (mozzarella, Gruyère, Cotija, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or a combination)
- Butter or oil for greasing the pan
- Optional: minced pork, ham, bacon, chicken, or turkey for added protein
Instructions:
- Grease a 10-inch cast iron pan with butter or oil to prevent sticking.
- In a mixing bowl, combine rice, gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sliced scallion whites. Mix thoroughly.
- Scrape half of the rice mixture into the pan and press down firmly to create an even layer.
- Distribute half of the shredded mozzarella and Gruyère over the rice, then add the rest of the rice mixture.
- Press down again and distribute the remaining mozzarella and Gruyère, along with the Cotija, over the rice.
- Place the pan in the oven and cook for about 35 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Remove the pan from the oven and turn on the broiler.
- While the broiler preheats, top the rice with chopped kimchi.
- Place the pan under the broiler for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese melts and bubbles, and the Cotija begins to char slightly.
- Remove from the broiler, top with sliced scallion greens, and serve immediately.
Tips:
- For a vegan option, use vegan butter or oil and vegan cheese shreds (a combination of vegan cheddar and mozzarella works well).
- If you want to add protein, cook some minced pork, ham, bacon, chicken, or turkey separately and mix it into the rice before adding the cheese.
- Get creative with your cheese choices! Any meltable, mild-flavored cheese should work, such as Provolone, Pepper Jack, Fontina, Gouda, Harvati, or Colby.
Papa John's Skim Milk Cheese: The Truth Unveiled
You may want to see also
Vegan cheese shreds
Types of Vegan Cheese Shreds
Preparation and Cooking
When preparing your fried rice, you can incorporate vegan cheese shreds in a similar way to how you would use traditional cheese. Sauté some green onion and garlic in an oven-safe skillet. Add your cooked rice and mix well. Create a layer of rice, sprinkle a generous amount of vegan cheese shreds, and then add another layer of rice. You can repeat this process to create multiple layers, depending on your preference.
Broiling or Baking
Place an oven-safe lid on the skillet and put it in a preheated oven. Bake until the rice is crispy and the vegan cheese has melted, creating a gooey and indulgent texture. Alternatively, you can broil the dish until the vegan cheese shreds melt, the sauce bubbles, and the top turns a golden brown.
Garnishes and Presentation
Garnish your fried rice with fresh green onions, chopped kimchi, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately while the dish is still hot and the cheese is melted. Enjoy the combination of crispy rice, melted vegan cheese, and tasty garnishes!
Recipe Inspiration
If you're looking for specific recipes that use vegan cheese shreds in fried rice, Mary's Test Kitchen offers a Vegan Baked Fried Rice with Cheese recipe inspired by Hong Kong-style café dishes. It includes a rich and creamy béchamel sauce, plant-based cheese, and a broiled topping.
Brie Cheese Rennet: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cheese fried rice in the oven
Cheese fried rice is a delicious and easy dish to make, perfect for using up leftover rice. It's a simple recipe that can be adapted to your taste and the ingredients you have available. You can use almost any type of rice and cheese, and cook it on the stovetop or in the oven.
Ingredients
- Leftover or freshly cooked rice (short- or medium-grain is preferred, but any variety works)
- Butter or oil
- Gochujang (a fermented Korean chilli paste)
- Low-sodium soy sauce (or substitute with low-sodium Tamari, coconut aminos, liquid aminos, or regular soy sauce)
- Rice vinegar
- Chopped kimchi (cabbage kimchi or a mix of different types)
- Scallions or green onions
- Cheese (mozzarella, Gruyère, Cotija, Parmigiano-Reggiano, cheddar, or a mixture of vegan cheddar and mozzarella)
Method
Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, mix the rice with gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and melted butter or oil. Grease an oven-safe skillet with butter or oil. Transfer the rice mixture to the skillet and pat down to form an even layer. Sprinkle grated or shredded cheese on top of the rice, then add another layer of rice on top and pat down again. You can also mix the cheese into the rice instead of creating layers.
Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake until the rice is crispy and the cheese has melted, about 35-45 minutes. If you like, you can finish the dish under a broiler to get the cheese bubbly and lightly charred in spots.
Once the rice is cooked and the cheese is melted, remove it from the oven and top with chopped kimchi and sliced scallion greens or green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Variations
You can also add other ingredients to your cheese fried rice, such as vegetables (pumpkin, cabbage, carrots, or potatoes) or meat. You can sauté garlic and green onions in butter before adding the rice to the skillet for extra flavour. For a vegan option, use vegan cheese and substitute vegan butter or a neutral oil for the dairy butter.
Delicious Ways to Use Labneh Cheese
You may want to see also
Bacon and cheese fried rice
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of bacon, chopped
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 cup of cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
- 1 tablespoon of butter or neutral oil with a high smoke point (e.g. canola or vegetable oil)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or 2 tablespoons of regular soy sauce)
- 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- Shredded/grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Gruyère, Cotija, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or any good melting cheese)
- Chopped kimchi (cabbage kimchi or a mix of different types)
- Scallions, sliced, for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a medium-sized skillet or wok over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain the grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Add chopped onions, frozen peas, and carrots to the pan. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until tender. You can also add other vegetables of your choice, such as diced carrots or chopped mushrooms.
- Beat the egg with a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix the rice with soy sauce, gochujang, and rice vinegar. Ensure the rice is evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Heat oil in the same skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the beaten egg and cook, stirring, until it is almost done or slightly undercooked. Transfer the egg to a bowl and set aside.
- Add the bacon back to the wok and cook until crisp. Remove the bacon and add it to the bowl with the egg.
- Add the seasoned rice to the wok and stir-fry for 2-5 minutes, breaking up any clumps, until it starts to crisp.
- Return the egg and bacon to the wok, along with the sugar (if using), and stir until well combined.
- Top the fried rice with chopped kimchi and shredded cheese. Place the pan under the broiler for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Remove the pan from the oven and garnish with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds (if using). Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips
- If you don't have day-old rice, freshly cooked rice can be used, but the texture may be slightly different.
- For a vegan option, use vegan butter and vegan cheese shreds.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and kimchi to find your preferred combination of flavors and textures.
Goat Cheese and Honey: A Perfect Pairing
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella, cheddar, Gruyère, Cotija, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and vegan cheese shreds are all good options for fried rice.
It is recommended to use day-old or leftover rice for fried rice as it tends to be drier and makes the dish crispier. However, freshly cooked rice can also be used. Short- or medium-grain white rice is preferred, but any variety works.
Common ingredients include vegetables (such as cabbage, carrots, and potatoes), meat or seafood (such as bacon, chicken, shrimp, or ham), eggs, and sauces like soy sauce and oyster sauce. Kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish of salted and fermented vegetables, is also a popular addition to fried rice with cheese.
First, stir-fry the vegetables, meat, and/or seafood of your choice. Push the ingredients to the side or make a well and add eggs to stir-fry until scrambled. Then, mix the eggs into the other ingredients and add sauces like soy sauce and oyster sauce. Finally, add the rice and stir-fry everything together. You can top with cheese and bake in the oven or microwave until the cheese is melted.
