Hearty Baked Rice Cup
A Simple and Delicious Meal! Recipe for Hearty Baked Rice Cup
This rice cup was a favorite I used to make for my children when they were younger, incorporating their favorite ingredients like ham, bacon, and cheese to encourage them to eat more vegetables. Now that they are in college, they still love it, so I often make it at home. I also frequently prepared this as a convenient breakfast option for my eldest daughter when she was in her final year of high school. I highly recommend this as a satisfying and easy meal!
Main Ingredients- 3 cups warm cooked rice
- 8 slices bacon
- 4 fresh eggs
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper
- 1/4 red bell pepper
- 1/4 green bell pepper
- 1/3 carrot
- A small amount of broccoli (minced)
- A small amount of chopped green onion
Topping Ingredients- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese or signature cheese
- A sprinkle of dried parsley (for garnish)
Seasoning- A pinch of salt (to taste)
- A pinch of black pepper (for flavor)
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (for umami)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese or signature cheese
- A sprinkle of dried parsley (for garnish)
Seasoning- A pinch of salt (to taste)
- A pinch of black pepper (for flavor)
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (for umami)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, you can use any vegetables you have in your refrigerator for the rice cup. Feel free to use up leftover vegetables! Finely dice all the vegetables, such as bell peppers and carrots, and the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2
To reduce excess fat, rather than starting with scallion oil, first sauté the bacon until it releases its smoky aroma and fat. Using this flavorful bacon fat to cook the vegetables will enhance their overall taste.
Step 3
Once the bacon is lightly cooked and has rendered some fat, add the prepared vegetables (bell peppers, green pepper, carrot, etc.) and sauté them together until they are slightly softened.
Step 4
Now, add the warm cooked rice and gently mix it with a spatula over medium-high heat. It’s important to break up any clumps of rice. Stir in 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, and then season with salt to your preference. Add pepper and sesame seeds to taste, mix well, and turn off the heat immediately.
Step 5
With the heat turned off, add the minced green onions and minced broccoli. Gently mix them in using the residual heat. This keeps the broccoli slightly crisp and adds a nice color without overcooking it.
Step 6
Prepare the egg mixture for the topping. Crack 4 eggs into a bowl and add a tiny pinch of salt to season. Whisk the eggs gently until smooth.
Step 7
Fill the oven-safe cups or ramekins about halfway with the prepared rice mixture. Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the rice. The melted cheese will create a delicious bond with the rice.
Step 8
Next, fill the cups with the remaining rice mixture. Avoid packing the rice down tightly; a lighter fill will result in a better texture after baking.
Step 9
Top the rice with a generous layer of mozzarella and cheddar (or signature) cheese. Carefully pour about half a cup of the whisked egg mixture over the cheese. Finally, sprinkle with dried parsley for a beautiful finish.
Step 10
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
Step 11
Everyone will fall in love with the irresistible charm of these baked rice cups! They are perfect for busy mornings or as a satisfying light meal. You can even store them in the refrigerator and reheat them in the microwave one by one for a quick and delicious treat. ^^
