Description
This Beef Pepper Rice recipe, inspired by Pepper Lunch, brings together tender shabu shabu beef, aromatic jasmine rice, and a delectable sweet and savory sauce. Cooked skillet-style, the dish features crispy rice beneath a melty butter topping, accented by sweet corn and fresh scallions for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Rice
- 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (warm)
Sauce
- 4 tbsp maple syrup (or honey)
- 4 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper (or more, to taste)
- ½ tsp onion powder
Beef and Toppings
- 1 to 1½ lb shabu shabu beef (or thinly sliced beef)
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp butter (divided in half)
- ¼ cup sweet corn
- ¼ cup scallions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook Rice: Prepare jasmine rice using your preferred method, such as a rice cooker, and keep it warm for assembly.
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, combine maple syrup, soy sauce, mirin, water, garlic powder, black pepper, and onion powder. Stir well and set aside.
- Cook Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil, then the beef. Cook until about 80-90% browned, then drain excess liquid from the pan to ensure good searing.
- Prepare Pan for Rice: Push beef to one side of the skillet to make space in the center. Add 1 tbsp butter to the empty center area and let it melt.
- Add Rice to Pan: Tightly pack approximately 3 cups of cooked rice into a bowl, then invert it onto the melted butter in the skillet to form a compact rice mound.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the bowl, drizzle the prepared sauce evenly over both the rice and beef, then scatter the sweet corn on top. Let everything cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes so the rice forms a crispy bottom crust and sauce flavors meld.
- Finishing Touches: Add the remaining 1 tbsp butter on top and sprinkle with sliced scallions before serving. This adds richness and a fresh, vibrant finish to the dish.
Notes
- Use thinly sliced beef such as shabu shabu for quick cooking and tender texture.
- Adjust black pepper quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
- Maple syrup can be substituted with honey as a natural sweetener alternative.
- Ensure rice is well-packed when inverted to hold its shape while crisping.
- Do not stir after adding sauce and rice to allow the bottom rice crust to develop.
