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) - ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 tsp 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 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 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!
I am looking forward to making this when in florida with fresh coconut that I wait to fall off the tree. Would the process for this be to scrap out the coconut, then grate it? Thank you for the reply and great looking recipe
Fresh coconut would be lovely and even better than the products you can get in the grocery store. If you can scrape out some of the meat of the coconut, roughly chop and then just gently toast in a pan, it would be perfect. It does not necessarily have to be grated as that added texture and crunch would be really nice. Thank so much for stopping by Healthy World Cuisine and have a super day!
Was looking at HI fried rice variations and yours popped up. Great mix of ingredients. I have always used sticky rice rather than basmati, so I'm eager to try this....
Just made this and yummmmmmmmm!!! I did add a pinch of salt and it was killer good. Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you enjoyed this simple recipe. I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Take Care, BAM
This looks so fresh and summery and gorgeous! Love the Citrus Salmon suggestion. You are making me so hungry!
Side note: What on earth is Snake Bile Wine?
Hi there Heather! I don't think you or I really want to know what snake bile wine is, so lets just have another Chardonnay instead. Have a super week. BAM
Hi Bams, your Hawaiian Luah rice look delicious, very appetizing one pot meal. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Have a nice day.
I am reminded so much of my trip to the Philippines last May after I read your post. We always enjoyed the food in Hongkong when we travelled there and your Hawaiian luau rice is one of the things we love when in Asia. You just inspired me to make some. Bookmarked this! Thanks for sharing, Bam!
My daughter would love this, she loves anything with pineapples
Coconut and rice - this looks yummy.
Hong Kong is an amazing experience. I flew in for a few days on my way to Bangkok (over 20 years ago) but would like to visit again with a greater appreciation and desire to explore the food. I was practically vegan at the time and not very adventurous.
I'd love to pour myself a Mai Tai and eat some of this rice! Yum! We've had an excessive amount of rain too 🙁
I love this version of Hawaiian Rice! And I agree it's raining almost every afternoon in our part of the world...
I still remember those seems to be "non-stop" rainy days in HKG during those summer months! This Hawaiian Luau Rice certainly brings on the sunshine and a big smile to my face. 🙂 I'm not a big fan of those dried salty fish, but my hubby is. 😛 But I can surely say that we both would say "no thank you" to that wine! LOL...
Beautiful rice dish Bobbi! Love the idea of pineapple, coconut and ham in here. Not so sure about the snake wine though... Have a great weekend! 🙂
Snake bile wine? Ha ha! Meanwhile, BAM this rice sounds more like a dessert with all its sweetness.
I wouldn't want to ride in a sampan during bad weather but I would love having your Hawaiian rice in good or bad weather. 🙂
I enjoy rice but never like to eat it because it always gets old to me. I will definitely have to try these flavors in my rice. AMAZING
Yes! I love pineapple and rice.I have a recipe for pina colada rice pudding on my site. This, with griled pineapple , looks wonderful as a side .Just Wonderful!
Buona sera, BAM! 2 weeks of rain? Ugh! Sideways rain? Double ugh! I really do need to start making extra rice or ordering a 2nd portion when I call for Chinese take-away. I would enjoy both dishes -- your Hawaiian Luau & Pantry Fried rice -- and I have to get with the program.
Now, BAM, I'll do just about anything for you but I draw the line just this side of wearing a coconut bra. 🙂
Hahaha...such a cute post. Glad you're seeing a bit of sun! And your rice looks terrific!
delicious rice,will surely make the day sunny with its colors 🙂
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!
Never thought of adding coconut to my fried rice, must do so next time I make fried rice.
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!
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. 🙂
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. 🙂
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.