Chicken and Salted Fish Fried Rice
Fried rice can have many variations from the Yangzhou fried rice of China, Nasi Goreng in Malaysia and Sinangag in the Philippines but all of them are created for one reason and it is the recycling of left over ingredients from other dishes as well as the leftover steamed rice hence the variations are limitless but all of us have their favourites and this is one of mine, a fried rice that is not as popular compared to the others but trust me it is better than most of them.
I discovered this simple aromatic and very tasty fried rice when I was working in Hong Kong and during my first days I never knew how to order as everything in the menu is written in Chinese, I also don’t know the names of their dishes which led me to this fried rice as that was the one beside my table had ordered, when the waiter asked me for what I want I just pointed to that table and I said I want one of those. I was lucky that that person ordered really good fried rice variant that I haven’t tried which also had made my taste buds so happy, that is why before I left the restaurant I asked what was it and they told me the ingredients. It was shared to me baack then now here it is for you to try it out as well. The salted fish in this fried rice is the key ingredient as it gives so much flavour and fragrance while the chicken adds another dimension to the flavour and texture, while the lettuce gives it a hint of freshness which makes it a complete meal.
Ingredients
day old cooked rice, about 3 bowls
1 large chicken breast, sliced
1 piece small salted fish (haam yu)
2 stalks spring onions, chopped
6 pcs lettuce leaves, chopped
1 tsp minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp Chinese cooking wine
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp corn starch
peanut oil
Method
1. In a bowl mix sesame oil, cooking wine, light soy sauce and corn starch. Add chicken then let it marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Cut the salted fish into very small pieces then set aside.
3. Add oil in a wok then set heat on high, add chicken then cook for 2 minutes while continuously stir frying. Remove chicken then set it aside.
4. Add oil if needed into the wok then add the fish, ginger and garlic, stir fry for 15 seconds.
5. Add rice to the wok then stir fry until fish is evenly mixed.
6. Place rice on the side of the wok making an open space on the middle of the wok. Add the eggs then once cooked incorporate it with the rice.
7. Add spring onions and cooked chicken then stir fry for around 5 minutes. Season with salt, turn heat of then add the chopped lettuce.
What a tasty fried rice.
Mandy
we usually make that fried rice but just the salted fish.
If I had been in your situation in Hong Kong I would have probably done the same thing. Very interesting dish.
This must taste good, Raymund. I am wondering if the flavor is the same as our Tuyo. Have a great weekend!
Looks wonderful!
Putting fresh lettuce together in the same presentation with hot food is an often-overlooked way of making a dish taste especially fresh and bringing out the natural contrasts in it of texture and flavor and so forth. This one sounds like a keeper, Raymund; glad you couldn’t read the menu and happened upon it!
What a lucky find that was! It’s a good thing your dining neighbors had such good taste. Chinese salt fish is pretty intense stuff, but used in careful quantities, it adds a ton of flavor.
You have no idea how much I wanted a really good fried rice recipe and this looks like it will do trick and then some. It looks scrumptious! So glad you shared it!
Sounds like a lovely dish! x
I love the idea of salted fish in the fried rice. That has to be an amazing flavor enhancer!
I’ve never made fried rice before. I tried once, but it just tasted like soy sauce and rice with eggs on top hahaha
This Chicken and Salted Fish Fried Rice looks great. I’ve never heard of this before.
Chicken and salt fish together in a fried rice is new to me though I use either one but sure a good try and will try out one of these days.
Your food always makes me SO hungry. I not only want the fried rice but whatever that is in the back…egg rolls?
PS I was reviewing your steamed pork buns recipe today because I bookmarked it a while back. It’s been moved to the top of my food to-do list.
Fried rice is delicious. Yours looks so colorful and fun. I’ve never tried salted fish but I’ll have to give it a shot since you said it was amazing.
it’s like appetizer and main dish in one.
This is one of my all-time favourites. I love the saltiness of the fish and the crispness of the lettuce lightens the dish so well.
Sup Raymond? I’m a fan of good eats but really love a good fried rice dish when it presents itself. The way you made this sounds really fascinating with the use of the salted fish. I’m looking forward to try this out. Good post and appreciate you for sharing this recipe.