Bacon-Wrapped Rice Balls with Cheese
Bacon-Wrapped Rice Balls with Cheese
Easy & Delicious Bacon-Wrapped Rice Balls: A Perfect Snack or Lunchbox Treat!
Introducing the delightful Bacon-Wrapped Rice Balls, a perfect harmony of savory bacon, creamy cheese, and fluffy rice. These are a guaranteed hit with kids, making them ideal for snacks, picnics, or lunchbox additions! You can enjoy both the original version and one generously filled with cheese, both offering a wonderfully satisfying taste. They’re simple to make, allowing you to create a impressive dish right at home.
Main Ingredients- 10 strips bacon
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
- 26g finely chopped onion
- 12g finely chopped carrot
- 1 bowl warm cooked rice (approx. 210g)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables that will add flavor to your rice balls. Finely chop the onion and carrot. Mincing them finely ensures they mix well with the rice and contribute to a smoother texture.
Step 2
Prepare 10 strips of bacon. Cut each slice of cheddar cheese into 3 equal pieces that roughly match the width of the bacon strips; this will make wrapping easier later on.
Step 3
Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat with a very small amount of oil, or wipe it with a paper towel. Add the chopped onion and carrot and sauté until they become translucent. Cooking the vegetables like this brings out their natural sweetness.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine the warm cooked rice with the sautéed vegetables. Add the salt (1/2 tsp), sesame oil (2 Tbsp), and toasted sesame seeds (1 Tbsp). Gently mix everything together using a spatula or spoon, being careful not to mash the rice grains. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Letting the aromatic sesame oil seep into the rice is key.
Step 5
Divide the seasoned rice into approximately 10 equal portions and shape them into small, slightly flattened balls. Lay out a strip of bacon, place a piece of the cut cheddar cheese on top, and then place a rice ball onto the cheese. Carefully wrap the bacon around the rice ball, tucking in the ends to form a neat roll. The cheese helps the bacon adhere to the rice.
Step 6
Continue wrapping all the rice balls with bacon. In this recipe, 4 were made with just bacon and rice, and 6 were made with the cheese filling, for a total of 10 bacon-wrapped rice balls. Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese according to your preference.
Step 7
Reheat the frying pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Place the bacon-wrapped rice balls seam-side down in the pan first. Cooking them seam-side down initially helps to seal the bacon and prevent it from unraveling as it cooks.
Step 8
Once the bacon starts to turn golden brown, gently turn the rice balls to cook all sides evenly, including the top, bottom, and sides. As the bacon cooks, it will release some fat, so you may want to occasionally wipe the pan with a paper towel for a cleaner finish. The goal is to get the bacon nice and crispy.
Step 9
Arrange the beautifully cooked bacon-wrapped rice balls on a serving plate. Sprinkle a little parsley flakes over the top for a final touch of color and freshness. Enjoy your delicious bacon-wrapped rice balls!
