Hawaiian Luau Rice is a little sweet, a little savory and little bit tropical and the perfect cure for the dog days of summer.
We have had about 2 weeks of non-stop rain in Hong Kong. Sideways rain is the worst, especially when waiting for the bus. Men in business suits with their trousers sticking to their legs and women who thought is was a good idea to wear a white blouse are now thinking twice about their fashion choices on rainy days. However today, I see for the first time a little blue sky and break in the clouds.
Here is a view from inside a sampan riding near the Aberdeen fishing village. As you can see the sky is still pretty cloudy but occasionally there is a little bit of blue shining through.
Have you even had a ride in a sampan boat? Well lets put it this way, you are in a mighty little boat compared to all of those big cargo ships and if you are prone to seasickness then this is not your mode of transport. Are you in need of any dried fish parts for your recipes?
How about some wine to settle your stomach for the sampan ride?
I thought not so lets get on with the recipe...
Sometimes, I need to close my eyes and think of a happy place in order to make these dull and rainy days go away. That happy place is always some place warm and tropical with white sand beaches, clear water, and plenty of sunshine. Having your own virtual vacation to Hawaii, is the perfect cure for those long dog rainy days. So crack out those coconut bras and grass skirts and lets get cooking.
Hawaiian Luau rice is a fun and easy tropical side dish that goes perfect with fish, chicken or just by itself. You can go on your own mini little vacation right here in your own kitchen. If it helps set the mood, put on a little Jimmy Buffett music and pour yourself a Mai Tai and have a little luau.
Hawaiian Luau Rice is a little sweet, a little savory and little bit tropical and the perfect cure for the dog days of summer. This is a great little dish to bring for a dish to pass at a gathering or for your own gathering at home as it really is a nice accompaniment to so many dishes such. If you are looking for a main dish to go with your Hawaiian Luau rice, please check out Sensational Summer Citrus Salmon or maybe even our Tropical Spa Mango Chicken or even our Peking Glazed Beer Butt Chicken .
You are also going to love this Lemon Rice recipe from Masala Herb with a fantastic step by step video.
Hawaiian Luau rice is always best cooked with day old long basmati rice. Please take a click here to gather the basic concepts of making Pantry Fried Rice.
We just made another bowl this mid morning as was having a craving and this time made with "red rice" instead of basmati. It was mighty fine. Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend.
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Hawaiian Luau Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cups basmati rice
or 2 cups cooked leftover rice of choice - 1.5 cups water
skip this ingredient if you already have cooked rice. - 2 tablespoon coconut oil
(your rice will really soak up the coconut oil quickly so use a non-stick pan) - ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger
freshly grated ginger (or can substitute with ¼ teaspoon dried ground) - 2 cloves garlic
minced - ½ cup ham
sliced thinly ( I used deli ham but you can exchange with spam or fresh ham) - ½ cup desiccated coconut shredded (Can use fresh coconut shredded)
- 1 teaspoon chicken powder
(gluten free) 1-2 teaspoons to taste (this is chicken bouillon in the powdered form) - you can also use chicken bouillon cubes and just crush into a powder and you can add to taste. - ¼ teaspoon white pepper
or to taste - 1 cup pineapple
chopped fresh (can exchange with canned) - macadamia nuts -
toasted crushed garnish - optional - 2 tablespoon green onions - 2 tablespoons chopped for garnish - optional
Instructions
- The day or two before, wash your rice thoroughly. Add 1 cup of basmati rice and 1.5 cups of water to your pan and cover and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Fluff rice with fork. One cup of basmati rice when cooked will yield about 2 and ¾ cup rice. Allow rice to completely cool and place in the refrigerator over night. (You can use other leftover rice as well like Jasmine or short grain rice.)
- Toast your coconut in a non-stick skillet until in is toasty brown. Set aside.
- Toast the macadamia nuts in a dry pan until toasty. Chop coarsely. Set aside. (optional)
- Place your coconut oil, onions, garlic, ginger in the pan until aromatic. Add the ham and cook quickly until lightly golden.
- Add your cooked basmati rice, chicken powder and white pepper and mix quickly in your pan until all of the rice is covered evenly with the coconut oil and seasoning. Add the pineapple, green onions and toasted coconut back into the pan and continue stirring quickly, just until warmed. Reserve a little toasted coconut and green onions on the side for garnishing.
- Serve on plate and garnish with toasted crushed macademia nuts, toasted coconut and green onions. Enjoy!
Robyn says
Oh wow, Bam! That is so beautiful looking, I HAVE to make it. I love rice and I love dreaming about Hawaii. I've been to Kauai many times and it's heavenly. Thanks for the great idea and inspiring photos.
Dawn says
Looks delicious!! I think we have taken all the nice weather from you...we have been so lucky this summer!!
Jo (http://blog-diggidy.com) says
It's been cold and rainy for a couple, three days here, too. This dish sounds like the perfect thing to snuggle up with a blanket on the couch with and nibble on... 🙂 xo
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I'll take the rice dish any day before the snake bile wine. 🙂 Do they make extra large coconuts? If so, I'm in!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Maureen, you are so funny. I really can't believe people really drink this snake bile wine. The thought of it gets my gag reflux going. I am most certain they have extra large coconuts and will start you off with a pina colada while we make the rice.
john@kitchenriffs says
I'm delighted to say I've never heard of, much less tasted, snake bile wine! I think I'll pass on that. But I won't pass on this great rice dish! I've made something similar in the past, and it's really good. Love the photos, the closeup in particular (I'm a sucker for closeups). Fun post, and I'm glad the weather seems to be drying out.
Coffee and Crumpets says
I was almost sure John, that you would take up the challenge with the snake bile wine. Maybe a cocktail? 😉
Nazneen
Danny @ 1227 Foster says
Love your postings and being able to get glimpses of life in Hong Kong 🙂 And your fried rice looks so tempting -- definitely helps to take you away from all that rainy weather!
nancyc says
This looks delicious–a great summer dish!
kellysiew says
Eeeeek snake bile! No thank you! On the other hand yes please to luau, ham and pineapple are e perfect combination. Yum!
thecompletecookbook says
Sop pleased you have some sunshine now Bam. LOVE the rice recipe, the wine...not so much.
Have a happy week ahead.
🙂 Mandy xo
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
You managed to step over the rain Bam! Endless rainy or humid days are just plain annoying. This is a wonderful rice dish!
Martyna @ Wholesome Cook says
Hi Bobbi, I've been known to wear a grass skirt once or twice in my life, but no coconut bras... I imagine then to be quite uncomfortable, and honestly, I think they would do a much better job as bowls for this AMAZING rice! Thanks for sharing, yum!
rabbitcancook says
The dish looks very summer and tropical and definitely something to brighten up a dull day. Wish you have a great Sunday.
Cheers
All You Do Is Eat says
Oh my gosh I HAVE TO MAKE THIS. It looks so delicious and looking at your photos I can almost taste it! Beautiful
The Mouse says
Haven't heard about Hawaiian Luau Rice before. Interesting. Sounds a little like Hawaiian pizza, ham and pineapple.
Eha says
'We are going to the hukilau,
to the huki- to the huki- to the hukilau . . .
Everybody loves the hukilau.
Where the lau-lau is the kaukau at the big luau . . .'
How's that for one who just loves the Islands: how can you not when there is an 'Eha Street' on most of them 🙂 ! [And, yes, yes: I have probably made a mistake with the lyrics, but Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra way back when {well, they were older!} thought I danced it best!!!!]. A fun recipe on a Sunday afternoon: thank you Bobbi!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
That was lovely Eha! I can almost imagine you in a grass skirt and flower lei singing your little heart out with Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. A great way to start out the weekend. Take Care, BAM