Maui Nui Loco Moco
Recipe by Tony Caggiano
As soon as my Maui Nui shipment arrived I knew I needed to do something special with it, something that honored the roots and origin of this incredible meat.
While I realize that Axis Deer are not native to Hawaii, I believe they have become an integral part of the island culture with so many of my native Hawaiian friends hunting them and the meat comprising such a large part of their every day diet. These friends are raising their families and children on this wild, delicious meat, and for that reason I wanted to find a special recipe as a way to share in that history and culinary culture.
A friend introduced me to Loco Moco some years back, and it is as simple as it is delicious!
The recipe has a number of steps to it, since it consists of several different items which combine to create an incredible meal. I also managed to get my hands on some Maui Onions, which are incredibly sweet and flavorful. If you cannot get them near you, any sweet onion will work well.
I also used Duck Eggs to finish off the plate, another delicious alternate as they are a bit richer than chicken eggs. If you can’t get your hands on them, chicken eggs will work just fine.
Give it a try and let me know your thoughts...
- Tony
SERVES:
3 - 4
Ingredients
Directions
- Place water and pinch of salt into a medium saucepan, on high heat, and bring to a boil.
- Add the rice, stir once and cover.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Mix the venison, onions, soy sauce and black pepper to taste in a mixing bowl.
- Form the meat into 4 patties, place on a plate and cover with plastic wrap.
- Place patties in the refrigerator for at least an hour to set up nicely.
- Place a cast-iron pan over high heat.
- Add a drizzle of avocado oil and set the patties in the pan.
- Cover pan with a lid (will help keep in moisture)
- Cook burgers for 3-4 minutes, until browned.
- Flip burgers and continue cooking to desired doneness (about 3 more minutes for medium-rare)
- Remove the burger, place on a plate and cover to keep them warm.
- Put the butter and sesame oil in a pan with the meat drippings.
- Add mushrooms, onions and garlic, sauté until golden brown.
- Add the broth, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, sprinkle paprika in slowly while stirring.
- Bring to a boil and then allow to reduce for 3-4 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water to make slurry.
- Slowly add slurry into the gravy, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Season black pepper.
- Cover and keep warm until ready for use.
- Add butter to a nonstick pan on medium heat.
- Crack in the eggs and cook sunny-side up.
- Remove eggs from pan
- Place a scoop of the cooked rice on a plate.
- Put a burger on top of the rice.
- Top with the mushroom & onion gravy
- Put an egg on top.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.
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