The Story behind Uncle Roger's Egg Fried Rice
Uncle Roger's Egg Fried Rice video was a collaboration between Nigel Ng, a Malaysian comedian, and Hersha Patel, a BBC Food presenter. In the video, Hersha Patel demonstrates how to cook egg fried rice, while Nigel Ng provides hilarious commentary on the recipe, criticizing Hersha's technique and highlighting the dos and don'ts of cooking egg fried rice.
The video went viral on social media, with people sharing it and commenting on how funny and relatable Uncle Roger's commentary was. The video also sparked a debate on what makes the perfect egg fried rice, with some people agreeing with Uncle Roger's tips and others disagreeing.
The Dos and Don'ts of Cooking Egg Fried Rice
So, what are Uncle Roger's tips for cooking egg fried rice? Here are some of the dos and don'ts that he highlighted in the video:
Dos
Use cold, cooked rice: Uncle Roger recommends using rice that has been cooked and left to cool for a few hours or overnight. This makes the rice drier and less sticky, which is important for getting the right texture in egg fried rice.
Use a wok: A wok is the best tool for cooking egg fried rice because it distributes heat evenly and allows you to toss the rice quickly and easily.
Use high heat: Egg fried rice should be cooked at a high heat to get the right texture and flavor. Uncle Roger recommends using a gas stove and turning up the heat to the maximum.
Add soy sauce: Soy sauce is an essential ingredient in egg fried rice, giving it a savory, umami flavor. Uncle Roger recommends adding soy sauce to the wok before adding the rice.
Use MSG: This is Uncle Roger's secret ingredient. In his video, he even suggests to use a specific kind of MSG from Indonesia.
Dont's
Don't use freshly cooked rice: Freshly cooked rice is too sticky and moist for egg fried rice, which requires drier rice. Uncle Roger describes using freshly cooked rice as a "sin."
Don't add too much oil: Adding too much oil will make the rice greasy and unhealthy. Uncle Roger recommends using just enough oil to coat the wok.
Don't add too much soy sauce: Adding too much soy sauce will make the rice too salty and overpower the other flavors. Uncle Roger recommends adding just enough sauce to lightly coat the rice.
How to Make Uncle Roger's Egg Fried Rice
Now that you know the dos and don'ts of cooking egg fried rice, here is Uncle Roger's recipe for making it at home:
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 egg yolk, whisked
- 200g day-old rice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp MSG
- 1 bunch spring onions, chopped
- 1 red-eye chilli
Instructions
- In a large wok, sauté the garlic and shallot until fragrant.
- Add the beaten eggs then add stir around.
- Add the rice, soy sauce and sesame oil and continue stirring.
- Finally, add the MSG, spring onions and chilli. Toss until combined.
Why Uncle Roger's Egg Fried Rice Went Viral
Uncle Roger's Egg Fried Rice video went viral for several reasons. Firstly, the humor and relatable commentary by Nigel Ng made it entertaining and engaging to watch. Secondly, the debate that it sparked on social media about what makes the perfect egg fried rice added to its popularity. Lastly, the simple and easy-to-follow recipe made it accessible to a wide range of people who were interested in cooking at home.
Notes
You can watch Uncle Roger's YouTube clip here.