Ginkgo, Scallop, Bacon,
Chestnut Claypot Rice

By DishFrames
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A rustic, comforting claypot rice featuring savory bacon, earthy shiitake mushrooms, sweet chestnuts, and chewy ginkgo nuts simmered to perfection.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

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.

A rustic wooden bowl brimming with savory ginkgo, scallop, bacon, and chestnut claypot rice
A rustic wooden bowl brimming with savory ginkgo, scallop, bacon, and chestnut claypot rice
Prep30 mins
Cook25 mins
Total55 mins
Yield2-3 servings
DifficultyMedium
Calories650 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Slice the bacon
    Bacon strips being chopped into small pieces on a wooden cutting board with a cleaver.

    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.
  2. 2Slice the shiitake mushrooms
    Shiitake mushrooms being sliced into smaller pieces on a wooden cutting board.

    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.
  3. 3Crush the dried scallops
    Soaked dried scallops being broken apart with fingers in a bowl of soaking liquid.

    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.
  4. 4Chop the ginkgo nuts
    Ginkgo nuts being cut on a wooden cutting board with a cleaver.

    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.
  5. 5Stir-fry the bacon
    Bacon pieces frying in oil inside a traditional clay pot over charcoal.

    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.
  6. 6Add and stir-fry shiitake mushrooms
    Sliced shiitake mushrooms being added using a strainer into the pot to stir-fry with bacon.

    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.
  7. 7Add and Stir-Fry Dried Scallops
    Soaked dried scallops being poured from a small bowl into a clay pot containing sautéed bacon and sliced onions.

    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.
  8. 8Season with Soy Sauce
    Soy sauce being poured from a bottle into a clay pot sitting on a burning charcoal stove.

    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.
  9. 9Add the Soaked Rice
    Soaked rice being poured from a wooden bowl into a heated clay pot using a wooden spoon.

    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.
  10. 10Incorporate Ginkgo Nuts and Chestnuts
    Ginkgo nuts and yellow chestnut pieces scattered on top of a mixed rice and bacon base inside a clay pot.

    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.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
2 days
Store leftovers in an airtight container once fully cooled.
Reheating
10 min
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water, covered, to restore moisture.

Burn It Off

Running
~65 minutes at a moderate pace (~10 km/h).
Cycling
~90 minutes of leisurely riding (~16 km/h).
Brisk Walking
~2 hours of steady outdoor walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Claypot rice relies on raw rice absorbing the flavored broth and rendered bacon fat as it cooks from scratch. Using pre-cooked rice will alter the texture and prevent the development of the signature crust.
If ginkgo nuts are difficult to find, lotus seeds or extra chestnuts make great alternatives that offer a similar subtle texture.
Simmer the pot over a low, steady flame once the liquid is added, and avoid stirring the rice after it has begun its final simmering phase.
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