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!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Oishiso! I had never added coconut in the rice even though I love coconut so much! I'd love to make this one day in the near future!
Norma Chang says
Never thought of adding coconut to my fried rice, must do so next time I make fried rice.
bentodays says
This looks delicious! A twist on the usual variations of fried rice we have. I am sure it puts you right in the mood for a vacation!
Kristy says
I will take a virtual vacation to Hawaii any day of the week - rain or shine Bam! This is a great recipe. I've never made this before, or even thought to make it. But we all really enjoyed it in Hawaii. What a great way to bring some memories home. 🙂
gwynnem says
I think I missed most of the rain when I visited Hong Kong in May a few years ago. One of my very favorite cities in the world. I've pinned this recipe to my food pinterest board. I could use some tropical flavor in Colorado. 🙂
Sandra - The Foodie Affair says
Ahhh, you just took me to the tropical island of Hawaii! Love the look of your dish and the addition of pineapple sounds scrumptious! Beautiful photos, Bam! Hope the rain is clearing.
Shirley Tay says
This is such a flavourful dish, Bam! I used to live in HK when I was a child, & still visit the place every few years. Seeing your shots make me wanna book a tix & fly there now. Lol!
Coffee and Crumpets says
Loving the tropical rice Bam! I wish it was raining here, I could take a break for the heat.
Nazneen
ashley says
Oh this just screams SUMMER! I love this rice dish..I bet it's amazing. Snake bile wine?? OH boy!
Tandy says
The coconut oil makes it very tropical! Our sideways rain is in the middle of winter here 🙂
Mich Piece of Cake says
Pineapple and cooconut in fried rice is so innovative and I can imagine how delicious it is!
Jasline @ Foodie Baker says
It really is annoying when it keeps raining, isn't it? I hope the weather will clear up soon on your side! I love fried rice, and yours look so colourful and delicious! Will definitely try your variation soon!
Eha says
No grass skirt! Lei, yes!! Danced, not sang 🙂 ! Giggles: one 'made a pass', the other looked in his glass . . . oops 🙂 !
. . . and we throw our nets out into the sea,
and all the amma amma come swimming to me . . .
Carolyn Chan says
I love the sweet and savoury mix (and I always always love fried rice of any kind !)
Balvinder says
Never heard of this dish before I love to try different recipes with stale rice. This dish is definitely of my interest .
My neighbours just came back from their vacation from Hong Kong and she was telling me about the beautifully crafted Chinese boats. I am sure she was talking about sampan ride.