My mom lived on the Pacific island of Kwajalein for a number of years when she was rising up, and sometimes ate bacon-wrapped water chestnuts as a snack. Snacks and appetizers are referred to as pūpū. Since we ate these on a regular basis, our household merely referred to as this dish pupu. It’s the snack of snacks for us! The recipe has lengthy been a household favourite and is actually made with love! It begins with a easy however flavorful marinade that’s candy, savory, and has a bit chunk from ginger and garlic. The mixture of those flavors with salty and crisp bacon is unbelievably delicious! However whereas the style is huge and daring, you’ll be comfortable to understand it takes little or no effort to make.
Why Our Recipe
- We’ve examined and perfected this dish over 30 years.
- Simple sufficient for youths to make, so scrumptious that everybody likes to eat them!
What makes this model particular is that I’ve examined a number of completely different substances and strategies over a long time to nail down one of the best flavors and cooking strategies. Once we say this recipe is tried-and-true, we imply it! I’ve slowly tweaked portions right here and there: including or lowering bits of garlic and ginger to search out the proper quantity, attempting kind of brown sugar, and swapping pineapple juice for citrus soda. Little by little, these changes have created a flavorful water chestnut marinade that’s merely irresistible AND really easy to make!
Ingredient Notes
- Bacon: use skinny strips of high quality pork bacon to simply wrap across the water chestnuts. Don’t attempt to swap with turkey bacon or low-cost bacon that can collapse.
- Water Chestnuts: go away them complete and don’t attempt to reduce in items.
- Soy Sauce: use common or low-sodium soy sauce. For a soy-free dish be happy to swap with coconut aminos.
- Lemon Lime Soda: any alternative of brand name like Sprite. You should use pineapple juice for a extra tropical style, however we favor the soda.
- Brown Sugar: gentle brown is greatest for a candy however mellow style.
- Ginger and Garlic: use freshly minced for probably the most taste. In a pinch you possibly can swap recent garlic on this recipe with 1/8 teaspoon of dry garlic.
Chef’s Ideas
Verify earlier than chopping the bacon. Usually the strips of bacon are reduce in half earlier than wrapping across the water chestnuts. However earlier than slicing, first test the size of the bacon versus the scale of the chestnuts. If the water chestnuts are on the smaller facet, you would possibly be capable to reduce the bacon strips into thirds.
When inserting within the toothpick, generally the water chestnut can cut up. You’ll want to push the toothpick by means of the middle, not the sting to stop splitting. Go straight by means of, attempting to not wiggle the toothpick an excessive amount of. Watch your fingers!
Use a baking sheet that’s lined with parchment paper for fast and straightforward cleanup.
Use tongs to show the water chestnuts midway by means of cooking. That is essential so that every one sides of the bacon might be crisp.
Maintain your eyes on them. The bacon crisping up would be the cue to know they’re accomplished. Take away them from the oven promptly in order that they don’t overcook.
Prep forward and marinate the water chestnuts for as much as 24 hours previous to cooking.
Let the youngsters assist! Present them a few times learn how to wrap and safe the bacon, then allow them to have at it. The marinade comes collectively simply in a single bowl and is poured proper on prime of the pan. Everybody could have enjoyable within the kitchen, and also you’ll be free to work on different dishes. (Or take a bit well-deserved break!)
Attempt Smoking Them!
These pupus are additionally superior cooked on an oblique grill (Pellet grill).
Because of the measurement of the water chestnuts, they will simply fall by means of the grate. So use a grill mat. Unfold the bacon wrapped water chestnuts out and set the oblique grill to 325. Allow them to cook dinner for 25 minutes. Watch rigorously so that you don’t burn the bacon.
What to Serve with Pūpūs
Crisp water chestnuts wrapped in bacon are a scrumptious facet or primary dish the entire household loves. Pair them with savory island meals like kalua pork or savory pulled ham, Hawaiian bbq hen, or spam fried rice. Spotlight the sweetness of the water chestnuts and likewise serve with a fruit salad, slices of recent or grilled pineapple, or slices of mango.
They’re at all times a success as an appetizer for get-togethers, potlucks, and events. Actually, any event! Serve crunchy, candy and salty water chestnuts alongside different finger meals snacks like cream cheese and avocado wontons and crab rangoons.
Storage and Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers for 5-6 days in an hermetic container.
Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350 for 7-9 minutes. Verify usually, as you wish to be sure that the water chestnut is heated by means of however not overcook the bacon.
