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 tbsp coconut oil
(your rice will really soak up the coconut oil quickly so use a non-stick pan) - 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 1 tsp ginger
freshly grated ginger (or can substitute with 1/4 teaspoon dried ground) - 2 cloves garlic
minced - 1/2 cup ham
sliced thinly ( I used deli ham but you can exchange with spam or fresh ham) - 1/2 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. - 1/4 tsp white pepper
or to taste - 1 cup pineapple
chopped fresh (can exchange with canned) - macadamia nuts -
toasted crushed garnish - optional - 2 tbsp 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 3/4 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!
Thanks for the memories of bygone days and happier times ! In my time knew most of the fish restaurants in Aberdeen and actually loved the sampan rides . . . Loved the Islands also . . . even have been to my share if luaus . . . But do not particularly like pineapple in any food, not even on pizza or sweet-and-sour pork. Like your other rice ingredients tho’, shall dress my next lot of rice with them and lift a g;ass of favourite wine thinking of you
Hiya Eha, we miss Aberdeen too. Over the last few years, the MTR train now has a stop close to this area so it is more convenient. Of course now, with everything that has gone on from both from the civil unrest to the virus and unemployment things are not the same. The Jumbo Seafood restaurant is temporarily closed and so are many businesses. Hoping that HK can recover from these 2 things as Aberdeen really is a special place. Hope you are staying well. Take Care
This is really delish! I made it today, presicely as instructed, with fresh crushed garlic and ginger, but that I used fresh rice, not cold/day old rice. The key in my opinion, is the toasted coconut. I do not use “flakes” but is an Asian market classic called “Dessicated Coconut” (the texture is of fine bread crumbs). The toasted coconut smells delicious but has the taste of a true nut, so you aren’t going to get a candy bar or tanning oil flavor. Everyone ate whatever I gave them and a little more. Really, really fun and I can’t wait to make this again with my Hawaiian Chicken with pineapple juice, Shoyu and ketchup plus spices.
I am delighted you liked this recipe. Dessicated coconut is a great alternative. I bet your Hawaiian chicken with pineapple juice was a huge hit. Wishing you a super day. Take Care
The ginger in your luau rice, is it fresh or powdered? Thank you, can’t wait to make it!
Hello Claudia, I used 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger but you can also exchange with about 1/4 teaspoon of dried ground ginger. Thanks for your question. I will adjust the recipe to clarify this ingredient. You can adjust this amount to your liking. Wishing you a super day.
I made your wonderful recipe last night for a luau party (in Georgia). Everyone loved it, including my garden clubs pickiest eater.
I did add a little more coconut oil, pepper, and chicken powder, but not much. Thanks again. This is a keeper.
Dear Kim, I am delighted to hear that everyone loved the Hawaiian Luau rice. Wishing you a super week.
Perfect dish for A rainy day. Great.
Thank you Josephine! We have had plenty of rain here in Hong Kong but today it is finally sunny. Wishing you a very sunny and happy day. Take care
Sounds good, what the heck is chicken powder?
Hello Todd and Mary, thanks so much for stopping by. Chicken powder is the powdered form of chicken bouillon. The powdered form works best as it is easy to adjust to your liking and it mixes easily with fried rice. If you do not have chicken bouillon powder, you can crush a chicken bouillon cube and add to your liking or just season well with salt and white pepper. Have a super day!
Thank you so much! I definitely have bouillon – Ive just never heard it called chicken powder before 🙂 can’t wait to make the rice! Sounds delicious!
Fantastic!!!! I made this today for a pig roast luau we were invited to for a 4th of July celebration. Huge hit, I made enough for about 30 people and it was practically all gone! Great taste, great recipe!
Thanks so much for stopping by Healthy World Cuisine and I am delighted to hear that our Hawaiian Luau Rice was a hit at your 4th of July celebration. Wow, you made a pretty batch!!! Good for you!
Wishing you and your family and very safe and happy holiday weekend.
This sounds amazing! I don’t have chicken powder and have never heard of it. Anything I could use instead? I have a chicken broth paste, but I’m not sure how to use that instead.
Hello Rachael, thanks for stopping by Healthy World Cuisine. Chicken powder is chicken bouillon in a powdered form. In stir fried rice, the goal is to keep the rice really dry so maybe you could add the chicken paste and add to the bottom of the pan to break up and then mix in with the rice but do not add any water to the rice. (I am all about using what you have in your pantry) Alternatively, if unable to find the chicken powder is purchase the chicken/vegan bouillon cubes and just pound it into granules and add to the Hawaiian Luau rice. Wishing you a super week!