Wakka’s Fried Rice

Wakka“I’m Wakka, coach and captain of the Besaid Aurochs, brudda. What? You hungry? Okay! Back to the village.  I’ll get you somethin’!”

—Wakka, FFX

This recipe uses two sausages from a 1-lb. package. To use the remaining three sausages, see Cid’s Spicy Chili.

  • 2 cups brown jasmine rice, uncooked (about 12½ oz.)
  • 6 oz. bacon (about 4 slices)
  • 2 sweet Italian pork sausages, uncooked, casing removed and cut into 1″ pieces (about 7 oz. total)
  • 5 garlic cloves, peeled and halved, or grated
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger (about 3 square inches)
  • 3 green onions, washed, root ends removed, white parts finely chopped and green parts sliced
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Cholula or Tapatio
  • ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 cup diced pineapple (about 5 ounces)
  • ¾ oz. cilantro, rinsed and chopped
  • Eggs (optional)

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large, deep skillet or wok. Stir in rice and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove lid and transfer rice to a large bowl.

Fry the bacon in the skillet until crispy, 10-15 minutes. Set aside to drain on paper towels. Add sausage to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

Stir in the garlic, ginger, and white parts of the green onion. Cook for about 1 minute, then add rice and combine well. Continue to stir-fry the rice until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, whisk together the hoisin sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Pour over the rice, mix until combine, and cook until absorbed, about 2 minutes.

Crumble the bacon over the rice. Add pineapple, cilantro, and green parts of the onion. Combine and remove from heat. Divide into 8 bowls. If desired, serve with a fried egg on top of each bowl.

Per serving (does not include eggs): 301 calories, 11.4 g. fat, 3.5 g. saturated fat, 0.1 g. poly. fat, 582.4 mg. sodium, 45.3 mg. potassium, 39.8 g. carbohydrates, 2.4 g. fiber, 9.5 g. protein, vitamin C 9%, calcium 1%, iron 8%