Virat Kohli is not just a wellness inspiration but also has plenty of cooking hacks up his sleeve that can help you in the kitchen! The cricketer who also owns the popular resto-bar chain One8 Commune recently sat down for a chat with comedian Rahul Subramaniam and shared a secret hack for making homemade fried rice which will boost the umami in your recipe within moments.
Virat’s hack is using vegetable stock to make veggie fried rice at home. “Try making vegetable fried rice with vegetable stock. It is outstanding. It is better than any street-style fried rice that you have eaten anywhere,” he shared. Though Virat is a vegetarian and this hack only talks about veggie recipes, this is actually a common practice across authentic Chinese restaurants, even when it comes to making chicken or other meat-based fried rice as well.
A stock essentially boosts flavour. Incorporating vegetable or chicken stock into your fried rice recipes is a simple yet effective way to elevate the flavour, texture, and nutritional value of this classic dish. Some recipes also call for using some chicken powder instead of actual stock.
The vegetable stock serves as a flavourful liquid base that infuses the rice with a depth of taste that plain water simply can't match. Made from simmering a variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices, vegetable stock adds layers of savoury, umami-rich notes to the rice, elevating its overall flavour profile. The aromatic vegetables and herbs in the stock, such as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves, impart a subtle sweetness and complexity to the fried rice, which gives it the signature taste. You can of course, try the same hack with a chicken stock.
It’s Not Just About The Flavour
There’s a reason why Virat favours using a veggie stock instead of plain water and that has to do with health, of course. By using vegetable stock instead of plain water to cook your rice, you can enhance its taste and also boost its nutritional content. Vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that contribute to overall health and well-being. When these nutrients are released into the stock during the cooking process, they are absorbed by the rice, making it more nutrient-dense. Additionally, using vegetable stock allows you to sneak in extra servings of vegetables, providing a convenient way to increase your daily intake of these essential nutrients.
One of the keys to perfect fried rice is achieving the right texture – tender yet firm grains that are evenly coated with seasonings and aromatics. Vegetable stock helps achieve this by providing moisture and preventing the rice from drying out during cooking. The starches released from the rice as it cooks absorb the flavorful liquid, resulting in grains that are plump, moist, and perfectly cooked. This ensures that every mouthful of fried rice is moist and flavorful, with a satisfying texture that keeps you coming back for more.