Bacon and wakame onigiri
Cook Japanese rice the usual way, season a la sushi rice, stir in chopped rehydrated wakame, crispy bacon and toasted sesame seeds, season with a little salt then press into an onigiri molder.
Recipes with rice (or other grain)
Japanese beef rice bowl (gyudon)
Sweet and salty, gyudon is thinly sliced beef cooked with softened onion slices in a mixture of dashi, sake, mirin and soy sauce, and served over rice. We like to add eggs and scallions.
Pork larb (laab)
What is this ultra photogenic dish? It is sweet-tangy-salty-spicy ground pork with khao koor (ground toasted sticky rice), basil, mint and chili traditionally served with sticky rice.
Cajun dirty rice
The “dirty” look comes from a combination of sausage fat, Cajun seasoning and chopped chicken livers. But unsanitary, Cajun rice is not. It is tasty beyond words.
Beef pares
A meal that hails from the Philippines, pares (pah-res), literally “pair”, means a combination of rice and protein, usually very tender stewed beef. Brisket, short ribs, flank or shanks are ideal for making beef pares.