Savory Garlic Fried Rice with Butter – Baek Jong-won Style
Transform your leftover whole garlic into this incredibly delicious fried rice!
Hello everyone, this is Nuneut-saseum, your neighbor who loves delicious food! (๑・‿・๑) The other day, I opened my fridge and found no onions, mushrooms, or green onions – just about 10 whole garlic cloves. Pondering what to make with them, I decided to whip up Baek Jong-won’s Garlic Fried Rice, a dish that only requires garlic and butter! It’s surprisingly simple yet packed with flavor. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients- 2 bowls of cooked rice (warm)
- 7 cloves of garlic
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 cup cooking oil (approx. 40ml)
- 10g butter
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/3 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the whole garlic cloves thoroughly. Trim off the tough ends and then slice them thinly into slivers. This slicing method will help release more of their aromatic flavor.
Step 2
Place 1 tablespoon of minced garlic onto a paper towel and press firmly to remove as much moisture as possible. This step is crucial to prevent the garlic from burning and ensure it fries up to a golden, nutty crisp.
Step 3
Heat 40ml of cooking oil in a frying pan over low heat. Once the oil is warm, add both the drained minced garlic and the sliced garlic slivers. Gently stir-fry them over low heat, allowing the garlic’s fragrance to infuse the oil. Be patient and stir continuously to avoid burning.
Step 4
When the minced garlic turns a beautiful golden brown and is fragrant, carefully scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the fried garlic mixture and set it aside. This reserved garlic will be used as a topping to enhance the final dish.
Step 5
Now, add 1/3 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce directly into the frying pan with the remaining garlic. Let the soy sauce sizzle and slightly caramelize at the bottom of the pan, adding depth to the flavor.
Step 6
Once the soy sauce starts to lightly brown, add 2 bowls of warm cooked rice to the pan. Use a spatula to break up any clumps of rice and stir-fry briskly, ensuring the rice is thoroughly mixed with the garlic and soy sauce. Fast, energetic stirring is key to coating every grain of rice evenly.
Step 7
Just as the fried rice is almost ready, add 10g of butter. Continue to stir-fry quickly until the butter is melted and incorporated, coating the rice with its rich, creamy flavor. This final touch adds a wonderful gloss and aroma. Serve the fried rice immediately, topped with the reserved fried garlic for an extra burst of flavor!
