Ginkgo, Scallop, Bacon,
Chestnut Claypot Rice
A rustic, comforting claypot rice featuring savory bacon, earthy shiitake mushrooms, sweet chestnuts, and chewy ginkgo nuts simmered to perfection.
Claypot rice is a treasured comfort food where grains of rice absorb the rich, rendered fats of meats and earthy aromatics as they cook over a gentle flame. This unique variation brings together smoky bacon, briny dried scallops, chewy ginkgo nuts, and tender chestnuts for a harmonious balance of deep, savory flavors and contrasting textures.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice
- 100 g bacon
- 6 pieces dried scallops
- 6 pieces shiitake mushrooms
- 12 pieces ginkgo nuts
- 8 pieces chestnuts
- 1 cup green beans
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp pepper powder
Instructions
- 1Slice the bacon

Place the bacon strips on a wooden cutting board and use a heavy cleaver to chop them into small, bite-sized pieces.
Tip: Cut the bacon into uniform pieces so they render fat evenly during the stir-frying process. - 2Slice the shiitake mushrooms

Take the soaked shiitake mushrooms and slice them into small pieces on the wooden cutting board.
Tip: Shiitake mushrooms infuse the rice with a deep, woody aroma, so adjust the quantity based on your personal preference. - 3Crush the dried scallops

Take the small amount of dried scallops that have been soaked in water and crush them gently with your fingers inside the bowl.
Tip: Crushing the scallops helps them easily absorb flavors and distribute evenly throughout the rice. - 4Chop the ginkgo nuts

Place the ginkgo nuts on the wooden cutting board and chop them into smaller pieces.
Tip: Ginkgo nuts add a distinct chewy texture to the dish, but use them in moderation. - 5Stir-fry the bacon

Fire up a charcoal stove, place a clay pot over it with a little base oil, and add the chopped bacon pieces to stir-fry.
Tip: Rendering the bacon first builds a rich, savory foundation for the braised rice. - 6Add and stir-fry shiitake mushrooms

Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms into the clay pot with the bacon and continue to stir-fry.
Tip: Stir-fry the mushrooms thoroughly with the bacon fat to unlock their earthy fragrance. - 7Add and Stir-Fry Dried Scallops

Add the soaked and crushed dried scallops into the clay pot with the sautéed bacon and ingredients, then stir-fry them briskly to release their rich umami flavor.
Tip: Crushing the dried scallops thoroughly beforehand helps them absorb seasoning and blend better into the ingredients. - 8Season with Soy Sauce

Pour an appropriate amount of soy sauce and a dash of pepper powder into the pot to season the simmering ingredients over the charcoal stove.
Tip: Seasoning the base mixture before adding the rice ensures the flavor penetrates evenly throughout the dish. - 9Add the Soaked Rice

Pour the pre-soaked rice into the clay pot directly over the seasoned meat and aromatics, mixing everything well together.
Tip: Ensure the rice is evenly distributed so it cooks uniformly in the clay pot. - 10Incorporate Ginkgo Nuts and Chestnuts

Add the ginkgo nuts and chestnuts into the rice and meat mixture, then stir everything together to combine the textures.
Tip: Ginkgo nuts add a distinct chewy texture, but use them in moderation to balance the flavor.