Cherry & Dennis Helper Habitat

Okinawan Taco Rice

沖繩塔可飯

Okinawan Taco Rice — finished dish

Total time: 27 min
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4 servings

Recipe overview

Hot rice is layered with mildly spiced minced beef, lettuce, tomato and cheese in the Okinawan taco-rice style.

01

Ingredients

Main ingredients

600 g cooked hot white rice
350 g minced beef
120 g lettuce
160 g tomatoes
80 g Cheddar cheese
80 g onion

Taco meat seasoning

1 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp paprika
0.5 tsp ground cumin
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp salt
2 tbsp tomato paste
60 ml water

Finishing sauce

4 tbsp mild tomato salsa

Okinawan Taco Rice — ingredients

02

Tools

kitchen knife
cutting board
mixing bowl
measuring spoons
frying pan
spatula
vegetable grater
serving plate
sieve
food thermometer
measuring jug
rice paddle

Okinawan Taco Rice — tools

03

Steps

Okinawan Taco Rice — Wash lettuce leaves, drain well and shred finely

Step 1

Wash lettuce leaves, drain well and shred finely

Wash lettuce leaves, drain well and shred finely.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Wash, core and cut tomatoes into one-centimetre dice

Step 2

Wash, core and cut tomatoes into one-centimetre dice

Wash, core and cut tomatoes into one-centimetre dice.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Finely dice onion and coarsely grate cheese, keeping them separate

Step 3

Finely dice onion and coarsely grate cheese, keeping them separate

Finely dice onion and coarsely grate cheese, keeping them separate.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Mix paprika, cumin, garlic powder and salt in a small bowl

Step 4

Mix paprika, cumin, garlic powder and salt in a small bowl

Mix paprika, cumin, garlic powder and salt in a small bowl.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Heat the pan over medium, add oil and cook onion for two minutes until slightly softened

Step 5

Heat the pan over medium, add oil and cook onion for two minutes until slightly softened

Heat the pan over medium, add oil and cook onion for two minutes until slightly softened.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Add minced beef and break it into small pieces with the spatula

Step 6

Add minced beef and break it into small pieces with the spatula

Add minced beef and break it into small pieces with the spatula.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Stir-fry for five to six minutes and use a food thermometer to confirm the beef reaches at least 75°C

Step 7

Stir-fry for five to six minutes and use a food thermometer to confirm the beef reaches at least 75°C

Stir-fry for five to six minutes and use a food thermometer to confirm the beef reaches at least 75°C.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Add the spice mix and tomato paste; stir for one minute until evenly combined

Step 8

Add the spice mix and tomato paste; stir for one minute until evenly combined

Add the spice mix and tomato paste; stir for one minute until evenly combined.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Add 60 ml water and cook two minutes until thick but still moist

Step 9

Add 60 ml water and cook two minutes until thick but still moist

Add 60 ml water and cook two minutes until thick but still moist.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Divide hot rice among four plates and spread into even bases

Step 10

Divide hot rice among four plates and spread into even bases

Divide hot rice among four plates and spread into even bases.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Layer on the beef, lettuce, tomato and cheese in that order

Step 11

Layer on the beef, lettuce, tomato and cheese in that order

Layer on the beef, lettuce, tomato and cheese in that order.

Okinawan Taco Rice — Spoon one tablespoon mild salsa over each plate and serve while the beef is hot

Step 12

Spoon one tablespoon mild salsa over each plate and serve while the beef is hot

Spoon one tablespoon mild salsa over each plate and serve while the beef is hot.

Common mistakes

Do not cook the lettuce and tomato in the pan; the contrast of cool toppings and hot meat defines the dish.

Tips

Drain the vegetables well before layering so the rice does not turn soggy.