Breakfast, as they say, is the most important meal of the day. And what can be considered a full breakfast than having rice as your primary source of carbohydrates to get you through the day? And Tacos in Rice will not only tickle your tastebuds but your curiosity as well.
With the dawn of fusion foods, different cultural origins combined to create a new and exciting dish. And that is what we are after in this article. To share with you how to make this recipe that is a little bit Oriental and a little Mexican, but a whole lot of culinary greatness and masterpiece.
And it will be our utmost joy if we can help you in your journey of discovering new and exciting dishes that you can serve for your loved ones. That is why we have listed down all the things you need to know to make the best Taco Fried Rice skillfully. So shall we begin?
What is Best Taco Fried Rice
Rice is one of those kinds of dishes that give you the freedom to experiment with. So long as you use suitable and palatable ingredients, you can never go wrong with it. That's the deal with our recipe.
Using the traditional ingredients for tacos, instead of putting them in its shells, why not incorporate them into a rice dish. This is like making the two ends of the world meet on one plate and delivering their culture's greatness. And minus the hassle of eating from its shells, which at times crumbles while you're eating.
It possesses an aromatic and robust flavor due to its seasoning, making it a perfect rice flavoring. The latter only absorbs the flavor of whatever ingredients you toss into it. And who could ever go wrong with ground beef? The rich flavor and meaty taste of the meat are absorbed and cushioned by the grains of rice, surprising your tastebuds with Oriental and Mexican flavor all at the same time.
Ways to Cook
Our menu is pretty versatile and easy to do; one is not a season to prepare this fusion recipe. And because of that versatility and simplicity, there are a few ways to make and achieve this unique rice menu.
Tex-Mex Skillet Fried Rice
Skillet is the black cast iron pan that we usually see at restaurants where they make steaks, and other pan-fry recipes. This method borders a bit on the recipes but at a different level.
Make sure to have your ground beef adequately mixed in with the seasoning before scooping them all out of the pan. After that, the remaining ingredients are added and put along with the rice.
Just be mindful that the pan retains heat longer, so do not use very high temperatures. The good thing about heat retention is that the pan can distribute the heat evenly along the pan's surface.
This quality of the pan method benefits you when making this recipe as it assures you that all the grains of rice evenly well.
Wok Tacos Fried Rice
What could be more Oriental than rice in a wok, right? Wok frying is one of the most popular methods of stir-frying. And making our menu using wok assures you that every grain of rice is well coated with the seasoning.
Heat the wok and douse it with the right amount of oil. The preparation process is the same, but this method will allow you to make the dish faster. This is due to the even heat distribution of the wok.
Making in a wok is also beneficial because it requires a tiny amount of oil, and the shape assures you that every grain of rice stays on the wok and not on the stove.
Other Delicious Variants of Taco
The possibilities for our menu variations are immense; you only need to have a creative mind and courage to experiment to create your new recipes variants. So to give you a headstart, we listed some variants that you can try at home.
Chicken Taco
This variant is the right fit for you for the more health-conscious folks cutting down on red meat. Chicken meat contains a lesser amount of fat and generally leaner than pork or beef.
The process is still the same; be mindful that chicken meat is a bit bland than red meats, so you might want to note that and add more seasoning.
This variant's time is lesser than the beef recipes, as chicken meat tends to finish faster. If you are on the quest to maintain a healthier lifestyle but do not want to miss out on the flavor, this variant is highly recommended.
Tacos Bueno
This recipe is a quick-service restaurant that specializes in Tex- Mex cuisine. So the recipes for this variant are inspired by the classic—vibrant, colorful, and accurate to the Tex-Mex cuisine.
What sets these recipes apart is the addition of tomatoes and a hint of cheese. The process of this variant is the same; the only difference is the diced tomatoes, which give off a refreshing and cleaner aftertaste.
The addition of tomatoes and cheese also gives a more distinctive flavor profile while maintaining that classic Tex-Mex aroma of the rice.
Kimchi Taco Bao
With the advent of K-Pop culture, the world is swept away by Korean culture, which is evident in music and food trends. Filipinos undeniably fell in love with the Korean culture and embraced even the Koreans love for spicy food.
Visit any mall, and you will find a Korean unlimited barbecue grill, and there you will find Filipino folks gathered around a stovetop grilling marinated pieces of meat. That love for meat is what inspired this particular variant.
This variant is leaning towards the spicy scale as Koreans love anything spicy. This variation is also much meatier than the other variants on the list as you will be using marinated meats, most specifically short ribs.
Follow the steps as indicated, but replace the ground beef with diced short ribs marinated in a Korean barbecue marinade. Towards the end, add in the chopped kimchi. This is a sure hit for spicy food lovers.
To highlight the benefits of kimchi, read the following.
Kimchi is a traditional and classic Korean dish made from fermented vegetables. The main vegetable that they use is cabbage. Some use or add celery, carrot, cucumber, eggplant, spinach, scallions, beets, or bamboo shoots.
You will add the following seasonings: sugar, salt, onions, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers. You can add your vegetables to this mix, be it a combination of two vegetables or just one prime vegetable. Your choice!
Although we all know that kimchi is eaten fermented, you can also eat this right after making it. It can last for weeks and months, but it ages like wine. The longer it is fermented, the tastier the flavor is.
The wonderful thing about kimchi is that aside from being delicious, it is magnificently healthy in its way. If you use the regular main vegetable - Chinese cabbage - it boasts vitamin C and vitamin A. In addition, it has ten minerals and thirty-four amino acids.
Now, if you make kimchi with a combination of cabbage, celery, and spinach, you will have a mix full of Vitamin K essential for growth, metabolism, blood clotting, and cellular growth.
Also, the fermentation process adds up extra nutrients to help the body absorb all the nutrients efficiently.
Since it is fermented, it will formulate extra Lactobacillus, which is a healthy probiotic. This will help you have an excellent digestive system. There are some nutritionists who associate probiotics with preventing illnesses and other comorbidities. And at some point, treating diseases like certain types of cancer, common cold, constipation, gastrointestinal health, heart health, mental health, and skin conditions.
In times like this, we should boost up our immune system to protect us from the deadly virus actively spreading hell all over the world. Some supplements are advised to support food intake to boost the immune system, but we suggest you take it the natural way by including it in your daily diet.
If you eat kimchi as a side dish or a part of your dish, then you can be confident that you are healthy all the way. Another remarkable effect of kimchi in the body is that it slows aging. As you have noticed Koreans, have this youthful glow even though they are in their forties or fifties. This is because of their long-term consumption of kimchi that already took effect as they grow old.
For women, this can also prevent the formulation of yeasts infection down there! In addition, due to its aid in metabolism, it will help you lose weight. So for those who are eyeing an incredible shape and weight, add this to your diet. This is to help you even further.
In addition, if you are aiming to have a strict diet for your heart health, have this included in your diet. This variant is a beautiful inclusion in the diet of those facing struggles with heart illnesses. Pair this up with your food supplements and pineapple juice.
Now that you know all the beautiful things a serving of kimchi has, we will teach you how you can make it.
Gather all the elements that you will need. Cut the vegetables in the appropriate sizes and then wash them thoroughly. The next step is to spread salt and let them sit for hours. Also, ensure that you turn them in every thirty minutes. Wash them after to remove excess salt. Mix all the other ingredients. Toss them and coat them evenly. Pack them on your storage jars. Let them ferment.
Even though it lasts long, it is not guaranteed that it will not spoil. So to guide you accordingly, check the following for the indicators of sour kimchi.
But first, know the fermentation period. If the kimchi is left at room temperature, it will ferment for about two to three days. Then it will last for seven days. If you keep it in the fridge, it will ferment for a week; then, it will last for three to six months.
The indication that it is already spoiled is that it has molds and an odd sour taste. In addition, it will have bubbles and a different texture.
To avoid spoilage in a large batch, store your kimchi in partitions. Let us say a part for every meal. This way, the other parts will not get spoiled right away.
Okinawa Taco
As the name of this variant suggests, this dish came from the Islands of Okinawa in Japan.
The dish became popular amongst the American military, which was stationed on the island, and the local folks fell in love with it.
Simple, filling, and easy to prepare but never lacking in that distinct Tex-Mex flavor. This particular variant is already a complete meal on its own. This is due to the addition of vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes. This addition is rooted in the love of the Japanese people for vegetables.
The dish's preparation is the same as the original; the only difference is the addition of shredded lettuce and tomatoes. This variation has a more balanced taste like the vegetables that somehow neutralize the seasoning's intense flavor and aroma.
Trivia
Knowing fun facts about the foods that we eat makes eating them a bit more enjoyable. And it also adds a bit more to our appreciation of these foods. That is why we listed some fun facts about our recipes.
- Researchers say that tacos are old; they say that it was invented around 1000 to 500 BC.
- It means "light lunch."
- In the United States, there is a holiday for tacos, which is held on October 4th.
Troubleshooting
Kitchen mishaps do happen, and it can get frustrating, especially if you're learning new recipes. But do not fret because we listed down some troubleshooting tips to remedy that kitchen mishap.
- If the final output tastes bland, add a bit more of the seasoning, then put it back on the stove for a few minutes more.
- If the herb is overpowering, add a few more rice cups to tone down the flavor's intensity.
Tips
Prevention is always better than cure; that is why it is essential to anticipate what might cause you trouble when making this dish and prevent them beforehand. So we listed down some tips that you can apply to produce a better quality dish.
- When making this dish, it is great to use leftover rice. This is to prevent them from sticking to the pan.
- Always preheat the pan when preparing rice; this ensures that heat is evenly distributed across the surface.
- Use less amount of oil to prevent the rice from being lumpy and greasy.
Best Served With
This dish naturally has an intense and spicy flavor due to the seasoning; that is why it is great to have it paired with other dishes. We have here a few dishes that will complement our menu.
- Salsa - the refreshing mix of tomatoes, citrus, and herbs goes well with our rice flavor. It also cleanses the palate of any strong aftertaste.
Here are some of the amazing salsas that you can pair with:
- Fresh tomato salsa - there is nothing more impressive than a bowl of fresh tomato salsa. All you need are jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, onion, olive oil, and other spices to comprise its flavor. And you can only make this in minutes!
- Hatch Pineapple Salsa - of course, this summer food calls for a summer side. This has that unique sweet and spicy flavor that will pair up just right in our dish.
- Grilled corn salsa - if you want extra crunchy and yummy flavor on this dish, you can add on the side this fantastic bowl of Grilled corn salsa. The sweetness of the corn and the smokiness from its grilling will spice up your food in more ways than one. So what are you waiting for? Grab an ear of corn, grill it and enjoy!
- Avocado and Cherry Salsa - if you want a fresh bite with this magnificent prawn dish, you can always add fresh cherries and avocado. Who says no to avocado? No one! So, there will be no problems adding it as a side to this plate.
Also, having cherries in your meal can give you many health benefits that you don't know of. For example, it is rich in fiber, potassium, calcium, Vitamin A, and folic acid. And these are almost the same nutrients present in avocados. So if you are one pregnant mommy, this side dish is essential in your diet.
- Pineapple- Serrano Pico de Gallo - now here is another slot for the pineapples to shine. Because why not? Kidding aside, we know that every dish like this aside from pineapple is a must. So try it and enjoy.
- Fresh Tomatillo Lime Salsa - This salsa is every Abuela-approved one. All you need to do is clean the tomatillos very well. Then chop them in their designated appearances. A rough chop is what you should do. You can also add cilantro or anything that will make you crave this even more.
- Black bean pico de gallo - this may feel like a meal already. But when it comes to dishes like this, there are no boundaries of what you can add on its side.
- Strawberry, Jalapeno, and Pineapple Salsa - another pineapple on the list! This tropical mix of sides will make you crave margarita as a drink. But who cares? This dish matches it up anyway.
- Pear Pomegranate Salsa - The freshness
- Chicken - Who can ever go wrong in pairing chicken with rice? The crunchy and juicy meat will make us chase it down with a spoonful of our rice.
- Pineapple Juice - The pineapple juice's acidity helps as a palate cleanser for this menu.
Conclusion
Experimenting in the kitchen is one way of sharpening your culinary skills and widening your culinary arsenal. That is why we are more than confident that the information we have shared will help you become a better home made.
So I guess you are now more confident in trying out our Chao Fan Tacos so that you can impress your loved ones with a unique offering. Till next time and happy kitchen moments!
For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cooked rice
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Salt to taste
- ½ cup Ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Taco mix seasoning melted
- ¼ cup Parsley chopped thinly
- 1 tablespoon Water
Instructions
- Put ground beef in a container then season with salt. Mix well then set aside.
- Heat oil in a cooking pan. Put-in the beef and stir occasionally to avoid sticking on the pan.
- Pour the melted taco seasoning and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Then add the cooked rice and mix well for 5 minutes.
- Transfer in a serving plate and top with chopped parsley.
- Eat, share and enjoy!