Crispy Outside, Chewy Inside! Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Rice Balls
A Simple and Delicious Fridge-Raiding Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Rice Balls
This one-bowl meal is made using leftover ingredients like carrots and other scraps that are often left in the fridge. It’s a fantastic way to use up what you have and create a satisfying dish!
Ingredients- 2 strips burdock root (about 100g)
- 2 slices ham (sliced ham or sausage)
- 1/4 onion (about 50g)
- 1/3 carrot (about 50g)
- 10 strips bacon
- 70g mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 bowls cooked rice (about 400g)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for the inside of the rice balls. Peel and wash the burdock root thoroughly. Prepare the ham, onion, and carrot by cutting them into similar sizes. Finely mince all of these ingredients. The key to making them bind well with the rice is to chop them very finely! Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat and sauté the minced vegetables. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables become translucent and tender.
Step 2
Once the vegetables are somewhat cooked, add the mozzarella cheese and stir it in with the sautéed vegetables as it melts. The cheese will melt and blend with the vegetables, creating a delicious mixture. When the cheese is fully melted and gooey with the vegetables, turn off the heat.
Step 3
In 2 bowls of warm cooked rice, add 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds and all of the sautéed vegetable-cheese mixture. Mix everything thoroughly with a spatula or spoon. Since ham, cheese, and bacon are used, no additional seasoning is needed; it will be flavorful enough on its own. Mix gently to avoid mashing the rice grains.
Step 4
Now it’s time to shape the rice balls. Take about a handful of the mixed rice (about 2-3 tablespoons) and form it into a ball slightly smaller than a baseball. Place the molded rice onto a strip of bacon and roll the bacon around the rice, wrapping it tightly. Ensure the bacon completely covers the rice to prevent it from unraveling during cooking.
Step 5
Place the bacon-wrapped rice balls seam-side down in a preheated frying pan. This will help the rolls hold their shape as they start to cook. Cook over medium-low heat, being careful to control the heat so the bacon doesn’t burn.
Step 6
Continue to cook the bacon rolls, turning them occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and crispy. If the pan becomes too greasy or dirty, you can wipe it with a paper towel before continuing to cook for a cleaner finish. Cook for about 7-10 minutes, ensuring all sides are evenly cooked.
Step 7
Arrange the evenly cooked bacon-wrapped cheese rice balls on a serving plate. Your ‘Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Rice Balls’ are ready! They are wonderfully crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, with gooey melted cheese. They taste best when served warm.
