bacon and vegetable rice recipe

How to Make Savory Pork and Rice Casserole (Xian Rou Cai Fan)

Xian Rou Cai Fan, a beloved Shanghai comfort dish, combines crispy cured pork, tender rice, and fragrant greens in one pot. Here’s a simple guide to make it at home.

Ingredients: 200g cured pork (bacon), diced; 300g rice, rinsed; 300g Chinese cabbage (or bok choy), chopped; 1 tbsp cooking oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tsp sesame oil; salt to taste.

Steps:

1. Cook the Pork: Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add diced cured pork and stir-fry until crispy and golden. Remove excess oil, leaving 1 tbsp in the pot.

2. Sauté Aromatics: Toss in minced garlic, stir-frying until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

3. Combine Ingredients: Add rinsed rice to the pot, stirring to coat each grain with oil and pork fat. Pour in 500ml water (or broth), then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Add Greens: Uncover, scatter chopped cabbage over the rice, and drizzle with soy sauce. Cover again and cook for 5–8 minutes, until cabbage wilts and rice absorbs all liquid.

5. Finish: Turn off heat. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork. Drizzle with sesame oil and salt to taste. Mix gently before serving.

Tips: Use day-old rice for better texture. For extra flavor, add a splash of rice wine when sautéing garlic. Enjoy this hearty, umami-rich dish warm!