If you’re searching for a filling, strong cuisine that will take you to Hawaii, go no farther than loco moco. Loco moco is a classic Hawaiian dish created with three layers of rice, a hamburger patty, and an egg, all wrapped in a rich brown sauce. It’s flavorful, simple, and easy to make at home.
Loco moco has a lowly origin story. It was devised in the late 1940s by a group of hungry teens at the Lincoln Grill in Hilo, Hawaii. They begged the owner, Nancy Inouye, to prepare them something cheap and filling. She came up with the notion of putting a hamburger patty on a bed of rice and topping it with gravy. She named it loco moco, which means “crazy” in Spanish, after one of the lads, George Okimoto, whose nickname was “Crazy”. The egg was added later, as a way of making the dish more substantial.
Food trucks, cafes, and restaurants around the islands serve loco moco, which has since become a mainstay of Hawaiian cuisine. Several versions have also been inspired by it, such as substituting fish, pig, chicken, or spam for beef, or adding bacon, cheddar, mushrooms, or onions. On the side, some folks prefer to serve kimchi or macaroni salad.
But the original loco moco is still the most popular, and the easiest to make at home. All you want are a few simple elements and some easy steps. Recipes are derived from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/272767/chef-johns-loco-moco/
The first thing is the ingredients that need to be used:
- 2 (4 ounce) patties ground beef
- 1 pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
- 4 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons white sugar (Optional)
- 2 drops sesame oil, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons minced green onions, white and light green parts only
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups hot cooked white rice
Then it’s time to start our process of making it:
1. Cook the rice. You can use any sort of rice you like, but white rice is the most usual. Follow the instructions on the package, or use a rice cooker for convenience. You’ll need around four cups of cooked rice for four servings of loco moco.
2. Make the hamburger patties. In a large bowl, combine one pound of ground beef, one teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and one egg. Mix gently and make into 4 identical patties. Heat some oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties for about four minutes per side, or until done to your preference. Transfer to a platter and keep heated.
3. Make the gravy. In the equal skillet, melt tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add one-fourth cup of chopped onion and simmer until soft, about five minutes. Sprinkle two tablespoons of flour over the onion and cook, stirring, for two minutes. Gradually whisk in two cups of beef broth, one tablespoon of soy sauce, one tablespoon of ketchup, and half a teaspoon of garlic powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce the warmth and simmer till thickened roughly 10 minutes. Season with a dusting of salt and pepper to add your own taste!
4. Fry the eggs. In another skillet, heat some oil over medium-high heat and crack four eggs. Cook until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny about three minutes. You may also turn the eggs and cook them for another minute if you prefer them over easy.
5. Assemble the loco moco. Divide the rice among four large plates. Top each with a hamburger patty and a good quantity of gravy. Place an egg on top of each patty and serve hot. Enjoy your homemade loco moco with a fork and a spoon, and maybe some spicy sauce if you like some extra kick.
One dish that will definitely make you feel full and joyful is loco moco. When you’re desiring a taste of the islands, you may cook this ultimate Hawaiian comfort dish. Try it now to find out why it’s so popular and highly regarded.
Related posts:
A Classic Loco Moco – ‘Ono Hawaiian Recipes
What Is Loco Moco? The Iconic Hawaiian Dish Explained
Hawaiian Brown Gravy (Loco Moco Gravy) – Sauce Fanatic
