Category Archives: Rice

Bacon Fried Rice

Asian, Bacon, Chinese, Events, Game Day, Kids, Nueske's, Pork, Rice, Sides

One of my kids favorite recipes is fried rice. I think that even at a very early age, my father-in-law had served it up for breakfast to him while they watched him while we were at work. Yes, I’m talking like two years old or something of that nature. Let’s just say he was young. But at that age, that food stuck in his head, that’s what fried rice can do to someone. Since then, he has come a long way in terms of exploring food. He is big into smoked meats such as ribs, brisket, and chicken, and lots of other things. Let’s just say he is no longer a chicken tender and french fry kid. With that said, one of his favorite dishes is bacon fried rice, so much that he makes requests for it. I’m down with that because this is a great opportunity to get vegetables into this rice, along with eggs (that he hates), that he devours it all up. That is called winning.

Bacon Fried Rice

Let’s get started.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Jasmine, or long grain rice
  • 2 cups of water
  • 5 slices of Nueske’s Bacon, diced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 whole carrots, diced
  • 1 large shallot, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 whole eggs, beaten
  • 1 tbsp Red Boat Fish Sauce or Three Crabs Fish Sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 cup of soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup of frozen peas
  • 1 tbsp chili oil, optional
  • additional water

Start by making your rice. I use a rice cooker, and to that I add the rice to the rice pot, and rinse several times in cold water until the runs clear. Drain and add equal parts of water. Cover, and turn on the rice cooker until it is finished. I love the rice cooker.

Now I do this the same day, and the trick to making fried rice the same day is to make sure the rice gets dry. I accomplish this by removing the cooked rice onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, fanning it out, and letting it sit on the counter for several hours. Otherwise, let the rice cool, store in the refrigerator and use the following day.

Make sure you have prepared the remaining ingredients.

Heat a large wok on medium heat. Add in the diced bacon, and cooked until slightly crisp. Keep the bacon fat in the wok, along with the bacon. Next toss in the garlic and shallot and cook for about 40 seconds or so. Add in about two tablespoons of butter and your chili oil. Stir, then toss in the carrots.  Add in about 2 tablespoons of water. Stir.

How to make bacon fried rice

Turn up the heat.

Add in the beaten eggs, and stir, ensuring the the eggs are thinned out and cooked. Using your spatula, break up the eggs into pieces.

Toss in your rice, and begin breaking that up, using your spatula, and scraping underneath the rice in the wok. Use your wok master skills and wok like you mean it. Toss in the fish sauce, cracked black pepper, and soy sauce. Keep woking, aggressively under high heat until you get a nice light crust on the rice.

Serve immediately.

The result is an awesome bacon fried rice. You get the great smokiness from the bacon, and when everything is mixed together, well, let’s just say it’s awesome, and perfect for breakfast as well. Hope you enjoy!

Chana Masala

Beans, Ethnic, Indian, Onions, Rice, Sides

Lately I have been on an Indian food craze. Well, maybe not so much a craze, but let’s just say I cannot get enough of the flavors of Indian cuisine. Maybe it is a phase that I am going through, much like when I go through a Thai craze, or a Mexican craze, but whatever it is, I’m cool with it.  A recent dish I made, the Indian green lentil curry with kidney beans, along with a recent posting from a friend of mine, sparked the idea of making the chana masala. Basically, chana (chick peas) masala is a very common Indian dish that is a bit spicy, and a bit dry in the sense where there is very little liquid. The dish can be eaten as a side dish, or topped onto rice. I prefer just eating it as a main dish as it is extremely comforting.

Chana Masala Recipe

What I love about this type of recipe is that many of the ingredients are already ones you have in your home, and if you do not have the basic spices, well, now is your opportunity.

Let’s get started.

  • 15 oz can of chick peas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño or serrano chili, diced
  •  1/2 tbsp ginger and garlic paste (or fresh ginger)
  • 1/4 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
  • 1/4 tsp cardamon
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tbsp canola oil

Start by heating your oil on medium heat. After a couple of minutes, add in your onion and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they have sweated through.

Next add in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add in the garam masala, chili powder, ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamon, and turmeric. Stir, and cook until  you have a dry paste.

How to make chana masala

Next add in your tomatoes and cook until much of the liquid has absorbed, a few minutes. Add in the ginger paste, and stir. Cook another minute or so.

Add in the chick peas and water. Stir, and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring on occasion.  Add in the chopped chili pepper, and stir again.

You are now ready to plate. Serve in a bowl and shower with some of the fresh cilantro.

The flavor is out of this world. This spice mixture, well, let’s just say it’s addicting. A bit spicy (which I love), and the great earthy flavor is just dynamite. Hope you enjoy!

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Chana Masala
Author: 
Recipe type: Sides
Cuisine: Indian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 3-4
 
Ingredients
  • 15 oz can of chick peas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 roma tomatoes, diced
  • ½ large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño or serrano chili, diced
  • ½ tbsp ginger and garlic paste (or fresh ginger)
  • ¼ tsp garam masala
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
  • ¼ tsp cardamon
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
Instructions
  1. Start by heating your oil on medium heat. After a couple of minutes, add in your onion and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they have sweated through.
  2. Next add in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add in the garam masala, chili powder, ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamon, and turmeric. Stir, and cook until you have a dry paste.
  3. Next add in your tomatoes and cook until much of the liquid has absorbed, a few minutes. Add in the ginger paste, and stir. Cook another minute or so.
  4. Add in the chick peas and water. Stir, and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring on occasion. Add in the chopped chili pepper, and stir again.
  5. You are now ready to plate. Serve in a bowl and shower with some of the fresh cilantro.
  6. The flavor is out of this world. This spice mixture, well, let’s just say it’s addicting. A bit spicy (which I love), and the great earthy flavor is just dynamite. Hope you enjoy!

Lao Crispy Rice Salad – Nam Khao

Asian, Ethnic, Game Day, Pork, Rice

I was first introduced to nam khao while living in Dallas, Texas many years ago. It was served at a Thai/Lao restaurant, and when I read the ingredients, I could not resist. I was being adventurous in dining when living in Texas. The city was loaded with authentic Mexican food, Vietnamese, Thai, and middle eastern cuisine, and I was all in when it came to eating. It was this dish that blew my mind though. After eating nam khao, I researched what it was all about, and realized that the funky and delicious nam was actually a fermented pork sausage, along with the khao, or rice for that matter, that was crispy rice. Basically a crispy rice salad with tons of herbs, chilies, and loaded with awesome flavor. You are going to love this recipe, I guarantee it.

Nam Khao

Let’s get started.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of jasmine rice, cooked, and cooled
  • 2 whole eggs, beaten with 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cups of ground pork, cooked, and cooled
  • 3 tbsp red curry paste
  • 1 cup coconut flakes
  • 1 tbsp palm sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup of shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1 whole lime
  • 1/2 cup of roasted peanuts
  • green cabbage leaves
  • 1/2 cup of fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp red chili flakes (reduce for less heat)
  • 1/2 cup of nam, fermented pork, chopped
  • Thai bird chilies, optional
  • 2 cups of cooking oil

Start by combining your cooled rice, the eggs with soy sauce, curry paste, salt, sugar, cooked ground pork, and coconut into a mixing bowl. Making sure everything is combined, form into baseball sized balls.

Next, heat the oil and let it come up to about 350 degrees. Add one ball at a time, and cook until completely golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and let it rest on a paper lined plate to drain any excess oil.

How to make nam khao

Repeat with the remaining balls.

During this time, prepare the remaining ingredients into a serving bowl.

Take the crispy rice balls, and break apart into bite-sized pieces, adding them into the mixing bowl. Once all of the balls have been taken apart, mix everything together.

To plate, add a mound of the nam khao to a serving plate, and serve alongside cabbage or lettuce leaves, fresh lime, and whole Thai bird chili peppers.

Lao Crispy Rice Salad - Nam Khao

The result is amazing. My wife fell in love with this dish. The fresh herbs, the awesome crunchiness of the rice and peanuts, and when folded into the cabbage leaf and drizzle with a bit of lime juice, need I say any more? It always warms up very nicely for any leftovers, and who doesn’t love that during a busy work week!

If you are looking for adventure, give this one a shot. It is really up there with one of my top five lettuce wraps and Asian recipes.

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Lao Crispy Rice Salad - Nam Khao
Author: 
Recipe type: Salad
Cuisine: Thai, Lao
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 3 cups of jasmine rice, cooked, and cooled
  • 2 whole eggs, beaten with 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cups of ground pork, cooked, and cooled
  • 3 tbsp red curry paste
  • 1 cup coconut flakes
  • 1 tbsp palm sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup of shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1 whole lime
  • ½ cup of roasted peanuts
  • green cabbage leaves
  • ½ cup of fresh mint
  • ½ cup of fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp red chili flakes (reduce for less heat)
  • ½ cup of nam, fermented pork, chopped
  • Thai bird chilies, optional
  • 2 cups of cooking oil
Instructions
  1. Start by combining your cooled rice, the eggs with soy sauce, curry paste, salt, sugar, cooked ground pork, and coconut into a mixing bowl. Making sure everything is combined, form into baseball sized balls.
  2. Next, heat the oil and let it come up to about 350 degrees. Add one ball at a time, and cook until completely golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and let it rest on a paper lined plate to drain any excess oil.
  3. Repeat with the remaining balls.
  4. During this time, prepare the remaining ingredients into a serving bowl.
  5. Take the crispy rice balls, and break apart into bite-sized pieces, adding them into the mixing bowl. Once all of the balls have been taken apart, mix everything together.
  6. To plate, add a mound of the nam khao to a serving plate, and serve alongside cabbage or lettuce leaves, fresh lime, and whole Thai bird chili peppers.

 

Thai Style Burger

Asian, Beef, Burgers, Ethnic, Game Day, Rice, Sauce, Thai

This past weekend was loaded with some new recipe creations, including that of the Thai three sauce, and an array of other items. As I was planning out dinner for the family, I decided to make some of their favorite Vietnamese style chicken, along with sticky rice. My kids love sticky rice, and so do I for that matter, and while I was soaking the rice, a thought came into my head. Go figure. I thought, why not take the rice, form them into buns, lightly fry them and well, make a cheeseburger. Crazy, I know, but interesting, and pretty darn delicious. I probably got the idea from old posts regarding a ramen style burger, and most likely because I was making stock the night before for ramen.

Thai Style Burger

Let’s get started.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Thai sticky rice, soaked in water for at least 2 hours
  • 1/2 lb ground chuck, formed into a patty
  • Thai Three Sauce, see recipe
  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced
  • Lettuce, shredded, optional
  • pickles, optional
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • cracked black pepper, to taste

Start by straining your rice, until the water runs clear.

I use a particular rice steamer, but you could probably follow these directions as well. I add water to my steamer, bring to a boil, and soak a wicker steaming basket, then insert into the steamer, being careful the bottom of the basket does not touch the top of the water.

Add the rice, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, then remove the basket, bang the basket on the side of your stove or counter, and use your motion, much like you would flip an egg in a skillet, and flip the rice to the other side. Return to the steamer, cover, and cook another 10 minutes.

Once cooked, dump out onto a large board, and use a spatula to break up the rice, then fan it to prevent it from further cooking. Add to a bowl, and cover with a towel.

Next, heat a skillet with the oil and bring it up to temperature.

Take some of the rice, and form into bun shaped patties. You want about a half inch thick. I use ring molds form precision in both the rice patty, as well as the burger.

Once you have formed the two rice patties, add one to the oil, and cook on both sides until a light golden brown occurs. Remove and place on a paper-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Repeat with the remaining rice patty.

During this time, form your burger patty, and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Drain the oil, and return back onto the stove on medium heat.

How to make a Thai Style Burger

Toss in the shallots, and push them to the edge, continuing to cook while you add the burger patty. Sear the burger, and cook to your liking. I go medium with mine.

Next, bring it all together.

Take one of the rice patties, and slather it with the Thai sauce. If you do not have Thai three sauce (highly recommend it), then use an Asian chili sauce. Top with the shallots, and burger. Pile on the lettuce, then the remaining rice patty. Spear a few pickles on top, and dig in.

The rice patty was super interesting. Not too crispy as you would think, but it also did not break apart when eating it which I loved. The burger was cooked perfectly and when paired with that awesome sauce, along with the sweetness from the cooked shallots, well, this was a pretty excellent burger. I’ll pat myself on the back on this one for creativity. Hope you enjoy…


Print
Thai Style Burger
Author: 
Recipe type: Burgers
Cuisine: Thai
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 1
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups of Thai sticky rice, soaked in water for at least 2 hours
  • ½ lb ground chuck, formed into a patty
  • Thai Three Sauce, see recipe
  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced
  • Lettuce, shredded, optional
  • pickles, optional
  • ½ cup cooking oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Start by straining your rice, until the water runs clear.
  2. I use a particular rice steamer, but you could probably follow these directions as well. I add water to my steamer, bring to a boil, and soak a wicker steaming basket, then insert into the steamer, being careful the bottom of the basket does not touch the top of the water.
  3. Add the rice, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, then remove the basket, bang the basket on the side of your stove or counter, and use your motion, much like you would flip an egg in a skillet, and flip the rice to the other side. Return to the steamer, cover, and cook another 10 minutes.
  4. Once cooked, dump out onto a large board, and use a spatula to break up the rice, then fan it to prevent it from further cooking. Add to a bowl, and cover with a towel.
  5. Next, heat a skillet with the oil and bring it up to temperature.
  6. Take some of the rice, and form into bun shaped patties. You want about a half inch thick. I use ring molds form precision in both the rice patty, as well as the burger.
  7. Once you have formed the two rice patties, add one to the oil, and cook on both sides until a light golden brown occurs. Remove and place on a paper-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Repeat with the remaining rice patty.
  8. During this time, form your burger patty, and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  9. Drain the oil, and return back onto the stove on medium heat.
  10. Toss in the shallots, and push them to the edge, continuing to cook while you add the burger patty. Sear the burger, and cook to your liking. I go medium with mine.
  11. Next, bring it all together.
  12. Take one of the rice patties, and slather it with the Thai sauce. If you do not have Thai three sauce (highly recommend it), then use an Asian chili sauce. Top with the shallots, and burger. Pile on the lettuce, then the remaining rice patty. Spear a few pickles on top, and dig in.
  13. The rice patty was super interesting. Not too crispy as you would think, but it also did not break apart when eating it which I loved. The burger was cooked perfectly and when paired with that awesome sauce, along with the sweetness from the cooked shallots, well, this was a pretty excellent burger. I’ll pat myself on the back on this one for creativity. Hope you enjoy…