Crunchy rice shells with savory burger filling, fresh veggies, and melted cheddar for a unique fusion main dish.
# Components:
→ Crispy Rice Shells
01 - 2 cups cooked sushi rice, cooled
02 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
03 - 1 tablespoon sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
06 - Vegetable oil, for frying (approx. 2 cm depth)
→ Burger Filling
07 - 300 grams ground beef (can substitute ground turkey or plant-based alternative)
08 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce, gluten-free if needed
09 - 1 tablespoon ketchup
10 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
11 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
13 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
15 - 1 medium tomato, diced
16 - 4 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
17 - 4 tablespoons burger sauce or mayonnaise
18 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
19 - Fresh cilantro or scallions, chopped (optional)
# Method:
01 - Combine cooled sushi rice with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, then fold in cornstarch until rice is sticky and cohesive. With wet hands, divide into eight equal parts and shape each into a 0.5 cm thick flat oval. Drape each over a heatproof mold or folded aluminum foil to form a taco shell shape.
02 - Heat vegetable oil to about 2 cm depth in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each rice shell carefully in batches, cooking about 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and allow to cool slightly to firm up.
03 - In a bowl, combine ground beef with soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add the mixture, and cook while breaking it apart until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Fill each crispy rice shell with hot burger filling. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sliced red onion, shredded cheddar, and burger sauce or mayonnaise. Sprinkle sesame seeds and garnish with cilantro or scallions if desired. Serve immediately to preserve crispness.
