This delightful rice dish offers a harmonious blend of textures and temperatures, combining the warmth of buttery rice with the coolness of a cucumber sauce, tangy pickles, and soft-centered eggs. The dish is perfect for a quick summer lunch or a comforting weeknight dinner, providing a refreshing experience with each bite.
To prepare this meal, start with the rice and eggs. Use 200g of Japanese short-grain rice and two medium eggs, accompanied by 40g of soft salted butter and three finely sliced spring onions. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. For the pickled cucumbers, slice 200g of baby cucumbers into rounds and toss them with 1 tsp of flaky sea salt. Prepare a pickling liquid using 3 tbsp of caster sugar and 75ml of white-wine vinegar, mixed with freshly boiled water, and allow the cucumbers to soak in it. Finish by dressing them with 1 tbsp of olive oil, a small handful of chopped fresh dill, and ½ tsp of dried mint.
The cucumber sauce requires a large cucumber, peeled and deseeded, blended with 100g of crème fraîche, a generous pinch of flaky salt, and one garlic clove. Keep the sauce chilled with an ice cube. Meanwhile, rinse the rice until the water runs clear and cook it with 250ml of cold water and a pinch of salt. Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer covered for eight minutes, then set aside off the heat for another 10 minutes.
For the eggs, boil them for seven minutes, then cool them under running water before peeling. Drain the pickled cucumbers and combine them with olive oil, dill, and mint. To assemble, divide the warm rice into two bowls, adding pieces of butter to melt over the top. Spoon the chilled cucumber sauce around the rice, place the pickled cucumbers, and add halved eggs seasoned with salt and black pepper. Finish with sliced spring onions for added flavor.
This dish should be served immediately to enjoy the contrast between the warm rice and eggs and the chilled cucumber sauce and crisp pickles, resulting in a light yet satisfying meal without the need for complex cooking techniques.