Brown Rice Basics

• Brown rice is simply white rice that hasn't been stripped of its outer hull, bran and germ layers. Because the rice is intact, it contains a greater amount of vitamins and dietary fiber than its more processed counterpart. The outer layer also effects its cooking time; brown rice can take up to 1 hour to cook to tenderness. Its higher oil content makes brown rice more susceptible to spoilage than white rice, so store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark location.

Preparing Brown Rice

• While traditional fried rice recipes call for short-grained rice, you can use any type of brown rice to make fried rice. Common types of brown rice include basmati, long-grain and short-grain varieties. Cook brown rice as usual in advance of preparing other ingredients for fried rice. Use your stove top or a rice cooker to cook brown rice, and follow package directions regarding the amount of water and rice according to your preparation method. Let it cool completely before attempting to fry it. If preparing the rice in advance, refrigerate it until ready for use.

Making Fried Rice

• A wok or other large pan is best when making fried rice. Heat oil over a high heat and add an egg or two, quickly beating them in the pan before they sets. Add all the other vegetables you are using to the pan, such as sweet peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, onions and cabbage. Quickly saute the vegetables for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the brown rice to the pan and stir to incorporate. Mix flavors such as oyster sauce and soy sauce into the rice, top with a splash of sesame oil and serve hot.

Brown Fried Rice Variations

• Vegetable brown fried rice makes a good side dish or light lunch, but you can make it a whole meal by adding a little additional protein to the mix. Thinly slice chicken or beef against the grain into small pieces and add it to the pan before frying the eggs, sauteing until the surface of the meat is lightly browned. Push the meat to the side fry the eggs in the center of the pan and continue as usual. For a hearty vegetarian version, fry tofu in exchange for meat and substitute additional soy sauce for oyster sauce.