BIG MESS FRIED RICE
Now I don’t normally indulge in such inordinate fare like Cheeseburger Fried Rice. I leave that up to foodies who risk life and artery to dazzle their flock on social media with a ‘grammable’ treat such as this culinary perversion. Incidentally, I thought to believe it was Hamburger Fried Rice at first and was simply fried rice with all the Asian flavors concomitant to the beloved Chinese delicacy and one exception, ground beef. It is not. Cheese—burger Fried Rice is exactly what you’d expect it to be, a cheeseburger deconstructed with rice. And it’s curiously good; yet about as Chinese as I am. But, surprisingly, something I wanted to fork with. So, for my take on this culturally inappropriate mashup, a thin frico of cheddar tops bacon cheeseburger fried rice layered over iceberg lettuce and garnished with Roma tomatoes and pickles for what could only be called a big mess; which, however, also happens to be quite big on flavor.
PREP/COOK TIME: 30 Minutes
Makes 8 – 10 Servings
INGREDIENTS
2 Tb – Vegetable Oil
3 Tb – Umami Mushroom Seasoning Blend, or
1.3 Oz Package – McCormick Slow Cookers Savory Pot Roast Seasoning
1 Lb – 90% Lean Ground Sirloin
2 Cups – Chopped Yellow Onion
4.3 Oz Package – HORMEL® Original Real Crumbled Bacon Bits
3 Cups – Cooked Long Grain Rice
½ Cup – Yellow Mustard
3 Cups – Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup – Miracle Whip
¼ Cup – Ketchup
1 Tsp – Distilled White Vinegar
2 Tsp – Honey
Half Head – Iceberg Lettuce, Shredded
2 – Roma Tomatoes, Chopped
1 Cup – Bread and Butter Pickles
1 Cup – Chopped Scallions, Stems and Leaves
THE NITTY GRITTY
DRESSING – In a medium mixing bowl, add miracle whip, ketchup, vinegar and honey; whisk till blended and smooth. Cover and chill in the fridge till ready to use.
FRIED RICE – In a large pan, heat 1 Tb oil at medium high. Add seasoning to oil; cook for about a minute to get rawness out.
Add ground beef; stir to combine with seasoning. Cook beef till some fat is rendered before adding onions. Add onions to beef; stir occasionally. Cook till meat is brown and onions are translucent and slightly golden. Stir in half bag of bacon bits and cook for about a minute.
Add cooked rice; stir till evenly combined giving time for rice to fry up a little.
Add one cup of cheese; stir till melted.
Remove from heat; add mustard, toss to coat.
THIN FRICO – In another pan or griddle, heat remaining tablespoon of oil at medium high. Add 2 Cups cheese to pan in one layer. Cook till cheese is melted and bubbling on top whilst crisping on the bottom. Using a spatula, carefully flip frico over; cook for about a minute.
ASSEMBLAGE – Scatter shredded lettuce evenly on a serving dish. Top with rice, followed by frico. Slather on dressing generously. Garnish with chopped tomatoes, pickles and scallions. Sprinkle remaining bacon bits and serve.
MARCH 1, 2021
