How to Make Fried Rice Like a Japanese Version

For the rice

- Japanese rice: 3 cups

- Water: 3 1/2 cups

For the seasoning and other ingredients

- Salt: 1 teaspoon

- Sake (Japanese rice wine): 1 tablespoon

- Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon

- Mirin (sweet rice wine): 1 tablespoon

-Sesame oil: 1 tablespoon

-Butter or Vegetable oil: 1-2 tablespoons

- Eggs: 2

- Chopped onion: 1/4 cup

- Chopped green onions (finely chopped): 1/4 cup

- Chopped carrots (or other vegetables of choice; such as peas, bamboo shoots): 1/4 cup

- Cooked and chopped chicken or pork (optional): 1/2 cup

- Nori seaweed (finely chopped)

Instructions:

_Preparing the rice:_

1. Rinse the Japanese rice under cold water several times until the water becomes nearly transparent.

2. Add the rice and water to a pot, bring it to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.

3. Cook the rice for approximately 18 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.

4. Turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and let the rice sit for 10 minutes.

5. Fluff the rice with a rice paddle or fork.

_Seasoning the rice:_

1. In a small bowl, combine the salt, sake, soy sauce, and mirin. Stir well to dissolve the salt.

2. Heat the sesame oil and butter or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

3. Beat the eggs in a bowl and pour them into the skillet. Cook until scrambled and set aside.

4. Add the onion and cook until softened. Then, add the carrots or other vegetables and cooked meat (if using) and sauté for a few minutes.

5. Add the seasoned rice to the skillet and mix well with the vegetables and meat.

6. Pour in the sauce mixture from step 2 and stir-fry until the rice is evenly coated and heated through.

7. Add the scrambled eggs back into the skillet and mix.

8. Finally, sprinkle the chopped green onions and nori seaweed over the fried rice.

9. Cook for another minute or until heated completely throughout.

Serve the Japanese-style fried rice hot and enjoy!