About the Recipe
Have you ever eaten a burger that's in a bun made from rice? I can assure you these rice buns are delicious alternative to bread buns. What's more, they are more filling and gluten free so there's no food tolerance issue either. If you want to make your own burgers, then please feel free to do so. I use shop bought burgers for this recipe simply because it saves on the prep time. Whichever way you go,
Ingredients
330g / 12oz cooked Japanese rice
2 quarter pounds beef burger (you can use frsh or frozen)
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 pre-cut cheddar cheese slices
2 slices cut from a large tomato (ie about the same size as your burgers)
1 or 2 lettuce leaves
some mayonnaise (optional)
some tomato ketchup (optional)
a large cookie cutter (about the size of a burger bun)
a small bowl of water
Preparation
First, cook your burgers in a frying pan on a medium heat for 8-10 minutes on each side. (You can grill or cook in the oven if you prefer.)
Once your burgers are ready, take your bun-sized cookie cutter and dip it into the bowl of water.
Divide the rice into 4 portion. Spoon out one quarter of the rice and put it into the cookie cutter. Tamp the rice down firmly into the cutter until you have a firm layer about 1.5cm / 3/4 inch thick. The key to a good rice bun is to tamp the rice down quite firmly so that when you lift the cookie cutter, the rice doesn't fall out - you should have to push it out gently with the spoon.That way, when you cook your rice bun, it should turn out firm enough to able to eat it with your fingers without breaking up. So, when you're ready gently lift the cookie cutter and press the rice "bun" out onto a plate.
Make 3 more rice "buns" in the same way.
Heat the 1/2 tbsp oil in a frying pan. When the oil is hot, fry the rice buns for 4 - 5 minutes over a medium high heat. Shake the pan gently a couple of times during frying to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan.
Half through the cooking time, gently turn the rice buns over. Once they are lightly browned, they are ready.
Now to assemble your rice burger. Place each burgers onto a rice bun. Use your cookie cutter to cut the cheddare cheese squares into roundels.
Add the round cheese and tomato slices onto the burgers. Next, add the lettuce leaves, some mayonnaise and ketchup. Last of all, top with another rice bun.
Serve with a green salad.