Steamy Rice, Saucy Secrets: Perfecting The Art

Steamed rice is a popular dish in Cebu, Philippines. It is a unique take on fried rice, where the rice is steamed and covered with a tasty pork sauce, resulting in a complete meal in a bowl. The dish typically consists of garlic fried rice topped with a savoury mixture of pork, shrimp, and a variety of sauces, including soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. The key to achieving the authentic Cebu-style steamed rice flavour is in the specific combination of sauces and the addition of sesame oil. The dish can be customised by adding ingredients such as green peas, fried shallots, and Chinese cooking wine. The rice can be steamed for a few minutes to enhance the flavour and create a dish reminiscent of those served in dim sum restaurants.

How to make the sauce for steamed rice

Steamed rice is a unique take on fried rice. It is covered with a tasty pork sauce and is a complete meal in a bowl. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the sauce for steamed rice:

Ingredients:

• Pork belly
• Chinese cooking wine
• Oyster sauce
• Cornstarch
• Sesame oil
• Ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil
• Minced garlic
• Fried shallots
• Light soy sauce
• Dark soy sauce
• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Frozen peas
• Jasmine rice, cooked and cooled

Method:

• In a bowl, mix the pork belly with cooking wine, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Marinate this mixture in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
• Heat vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallots, and cook until fragrant.
• Add the marinated pork pieces to the pot and fry until browned.
• Pour in water, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the stew to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the pork becomes tender and the water is reduced by half. This should take around 30 minutes.
• Cut the shrimp into small pieces. Mix cornstarch and water together in a separate bowl.
• Bring the stew back to a boil. Add the shrimp and peas, and cook until the shrimp changes color. This should take about 2 minutes.
• Quickly stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook until the gravy thickens. This should take around 7 to 10 minutes.
• In a separate wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
• Increase the heat to high. Add the cooked rice and cook, breaking up the rice with a spatula, until it is loosened.
• Add oyster sauce and soy sauce to the rice. Cook and stir until the rice is fluffy and heated through.
• Finally, add the remaining sesame oil to the rice.

Your sauce for steamed rice is now ready! Serve it on top of the steamed rice for a delicious and hearty meal.

How to steam rice

Steamed rice is a delicious and healthy dish that can be made in a few simple steps. Here is a guide on how to make perfect steamed rice:

Ingredients:

First, gather all the ingredients. For the pork and shrimp stew, you will need:

• Pork belly or tenderloin, cut into cubes
• Chinese cooking wine or rice wine
• Oyster sauce
• Cornstarch
• Sesame oil
• Ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil
• Minced garlic
• Fried shallots (optional)
• Light soy sauce
• Dark soy sauce
• Uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Frozen green peas

For the garlic fried rice, you will need:

• Cooked jasmine rice, cooled
• Vegetable oil
• Minced garlic
• Oyster sauce
• Light soy sauce
• Sesame oil

Instructions:

Now, let's get started with the cooking process:

• Mix the pork belly or tenderloin with cooking wine, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Marinate this mixture in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
• Heat vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallots, and cook until fragrant.
• Add the marinated pork pieces to the pot and fry until browned.
• Pour in water, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the stew to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the pork becomes tender and the water is reduced by half, which should take around 30 minutes.
• Cut the shrimp into similar-sized pieces as the pork. Mix cornstarch and water together in a separate bowl.
• Bring the stew back to a boil and add the shrimp and green peas. Cook until the shrimp changes color, which should take about 2 minutes.
• Quickly stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook until the gravy thickens, which should take around 7 to 10 minutes.
• For the garlic fried rice, heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
• Add the cooked rice to the wok and cook, breaking up the rice with a spatula, until it is loosened and heated through, which should take around 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add oyster sauce and soy sauce to the rice and cook until the rice is fluffy.
• Finally, add a few drops of sesame oil to the rice and stir to combine.
• To serve, divide the fried rice into bowls and portion the pork and shrimp stew evenly over the rice.
• Optionally, you can steam the entire dish for 10 minutes to mimic the effect of steamed dim sum.

Your steamed rice is now ready to be enjoyed! This dish is perfect for a hearty and flavorful meal. Feel free to adjust the measurements and cooking times to suit your taste preferences.

How to make a pork and shrimp stew for steamed rice

Here's a recipe for pork and shrimp stew for steamed rice, inspired by the Filipino steamed rice, Cebu style.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pork belly, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons Chinese cooking wine
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 tablespoon fried shallots (optional)
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 1/4 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice, cooled, or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 3 drops sesame oil, or to taste

Method:

• Mix the pork belly with cooking wine, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
• Heat vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallots; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the pork pieces; fry until browned, about 6 minutes.
• Pour in water, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Cover with a lid and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the pork becomes tender and the water is reduced by half, about 30 minutes.
• Cut the shrimp into 3/4-inch pieces. Mix cornstarch and water together in a bowl.
• Bring the stew to a boil. Add the shrimp and peas; cook until the shrimp changes colour, about 2 minutes.
• Quickly stir in the cornstarch mixture. Cook and stir until the gravy is thickened, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Increase the heat to high.
• Add the rice; cook, breaking up the rice with a spatula, until loosened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add oyster sauce and soy sauce. Cook and stir until the rice is fluffy and heated through, about 3 minutes.
• Add the remaining sesame oil.
• Divide the fried rice between 3 or 4 bowls. Portion the pork and shrimp stew equally over the rice.

Tips:

• You can use white pepper powder instead of black pepper, and you can substitute a pinch of sugar for the dark soy sauce.
• It's important not to over-season the rice, as you don't want the taste of the rice to overpower the stew. Over-seasoning may also make the dish too salty.

How to make garlic fried rice

Garlic fried rice is a tasty and simple dish to make, and it goes well with a variety of other foods. It is also a great way to use up leftover rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice, cooled
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 3 drops sesame oil, or to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat.
• Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Increase the heat to high and add the rice. Cook, breaking up any clumps with a spatula, for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add the oyster sauce and soy sauce, and continue cooking until the rice is fluffy and heated through, about another 3 minutes.
• Add the sesame oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Serve the garlic fried rice as a side dish or with your favourite ulam (main dish).

Tips:

• For the best texture, use leftover rice that has been cooled and dried. Freshly cooked rice can be too moist, resulting in mushy fried rice.
• If you don't have leftover rice, you can cook the rice beforehand and spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and dry.
• High heat is essential to frying the rice without burning it. Constantly stir and flip the rice to prevent scorching.
• You can also add scrambled or fried eggs to the garlic fried rice for a heartier dish.
• For a more authentic Cebu-style flavour, some suggest adding a tablespoon or two of sesame oil to the dish.

How to serve steamed rice

Steamed rice is a delicious and healthy dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to serve steamed rice:

Choose the Right Rice

The type of rice you choose can make a big difference in the final dish. For steamed rice, it is best to use a medium-grain or long-grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati rice. These types of rice have a firmer texture and separate grains, which is ideal for steaming. Avoid using sticky or short-grain rice, as it may become too soft and mushy during the steaming process.

Prepare the Rice Properly

Before steaming the rice, it is important to rinse it thoroughly to remove any excess starch. This will help prevent the rice from becoming sticky during cooking. After rinsing, soak the rice in water for about 30 minutes to an hour. This will help the rice cook more evenly and result in a better texture. Drain the rice and cook it according to the package instructions or your preferred method.

Season the Rice

To add flavour to your steamed rice, consider seasoning it with a variety of ingredients. You can try adding a teaspoon of butter or olive oil, a pinch of salt, or some fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme. You can also experiment with different spices, such as cumin, turmeric, or paprika, to give your rice a unique flavour profile.

Serve with a Sauce or Topping

Steamed rice is often served with a sauce or topping to add moisture and flavour. You can try a simple soy sauce or teriyaki glaze, a spicy chilli sauce, a creamy mushroom sauce, or a flavourful curry. If you want to keep it simple, a pat of butter or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can also enhance the flavour of the rice.

Accompany with Side Dishes

Steamed rice goes well with a variety of side dishes. You can serve it with grilled or roasted meats, such as chicken, fish, or beef. Steamed or stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers, also make great accompaniments. Pickled vegetables, such as cucumber or radish, can add a refreshing crunch to your meal.

Consider Presentation

The way you present your steamed rice can also enhance its appeal. Consider serving it in a bowl or on a plate, depending on the occasion and your personal preference. You can shape the rice using a mould or simply fluff it up with a fork for a more casual look. Garnishing the rice with fresh herbs, chopped nuts, or fried shallots can also elevate the dish's visual appeal.

Remember, when serving steamed rice, it is important to ensure that the rice is cooked properly and is fluffy and moist. By following these tips, you can create delicious and flavourful steamed rice dishes that will impress your family and friends.

Frequently asked questions