I'm about to cook some fried rice

[CatWoman]

why is it better for the rice to be at least a day old?

I've always wondered :think:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Because it loses its water content and doesn't stick together

[GOPisEvil]

2. Yep! Dry rice (dry anything, really) is best for frying.

Being dry, the rice picks up other flavors better, too.

If you have sesame oil, even a little bit, that will help the taste a lot.

[CatWoman]

3. who the fuck are you, Iron Chef David????

:D

:hi:

[GOPisEvil]

5. Hey, I have a Japanese mom...I know from fried rice!

:D

:hi:

[ladeuxiemevoiture]

4. Starchy foods are absorbent

like potatoes, rice and pasta. So the longer these things are left to sit with their sauces or seasonings, the more flavor they absorb from those aromatics. It's the same principle behind marinading (though marinading also tenderizes meat).

[trof]

6. Be sure to boil it first.

;-)
Many years ago a friend decided to try making fried rice.
She poured uncooked rice into a pan and just fried the hell out of it.
It had the consistency of BBs.

[CatWoman]

7. ROFL!!!!!!!!!

Great story, Trof!!!!

:hi:

[Kali]

8. Its not critical

I do it both ways - just depends on how well I plan! it is better next day but not that critical, more important is how wet it is when finished cooking in the first place.