DIY Recipes: How to make a simple flavoured Ghanaian fried rice

This recipe produces vegetable-studded fried rice with individual grains, lightly seasoned to allow the flavour of the rice to shine.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked white rice (12 ounces; 350g; see note)

2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable or canola oil, divided

1 small onion, finely chopped (4 ounces; 115g)

1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into small dice (3 ounces; 85g)

2 scallions, thinly sliced (1 ounce; 30g)

2 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons; 5g)

1 teaspoon (5ml) soy sauce

1 teaspoon (5ml) toasted sesame oil

Kosher salt and ground white pepper

1 large egg

4 ounces (115g) frozen peas

Method

Cook rice until finely cooked.
Transfer to a medium bowl and break the rice up with your hands into individual grains before proceeding. Heat 1/2 tablespoon (7ml) vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until smoking. Add half of rice and cook, stirring and tossing, until the rice is pale brown and toasted and has a lightly chewy texture, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Repeat with another 1/2 tablespoon oil and remaining rice.
Return all the rice to the wok and press it up the sides, leaving a space in the middle. Add 1/2 tablespoon (7ml) oil to space. Add onion, carrot, scallions, and garlic and cook, stirring gently, until lightly softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Toss with rice to combine. Add soy sauce and sesame oil and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.
Push rice to the side of the wok and add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon (7ml) oil. Break the egg into the oil and season with a little salt. Use a spatula to scramble the egg, breaking it up into small bits. Toss the egg and the rice together.
Add frozen peas and continue to toss and stir until peas are thawed and every grain of rice is separate. Serve immediately.