My mom lived on the Pacific island of Kwajalein for a number of years when she was rising up, and infrequently ate bacon-wrapped water chestnuts as a snack. Snacks and appetizers are known as pūpū. Since we ate these on a regular basis, our household merely known as this dish pupu. It’s the snack of snacks for us! The recipe has lengthy been a household favourite and is really made with love! It begins with a easy however flavorful marinade that’s candy, savory, and has just a little chunk from ginger and garlic. The mix of those flavors with salty and crisp bacon is unbelievably delicious! However whereas the style is massive and daring, you’ll be comfortable to comprehend it takes little or no effort to make.
Why Our Recipe
- We’ve examined and perfected this dish over 30 years.
- Simple sufficient for teenagers 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 the perfect flavors and cooking strategies. After 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 right quantity, attempting roughly 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 crumble.
- Water Chestnuts: depart them entire and don’t attempt to minimize in items.
- Soy Sauce: use common or low-sodium soy sauce. For a soy-free dish be at liberty to swap with coconut aminos.
- Lemon Lime Soda: any alternative of name like Sprite. You should utilize pineapple juice for a extra tropical style, however we choose the soda.
- Brown Sugar: gentle brown is finest for a candy however mellow style.
- Ginger and Garlic: use freshly minced for essentially the most taste. In a pinch you may swap recent garlic on this recipe with 1/8 teaspoon of dry garlic.
Chef’s Ideas
Verify earlier than chopping the bacon. Sometimes the strips of bacon are minimize in half earlier than wrapping across the water chestnuts. However earlier than slicing, first examine the size of the bacon versus the dimensions of the chestnuts. If the water chestnuts are on the smaller aspect, you would possibly have the ability to minimize the bacon strips into thirds.
When inserting within the toothpick, generally the water chestnut can break up. Make sure to push the toothpick via the middle, not the sting to stop splitting. Go straight via, attempting to not wiggle the toothpick an excessive amount of. Watch your palms!
Use a baking sheet that’s lined with parchment paper for fast and simple cleanup.
Use tongs to show the water chestnuts midway via cooking. That is essential so that each 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 so 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 tips on 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 high of the pan. Everybody could have enjoyable within the kitchen, and also you’ll be free to work on different dishes. (Or take just a little well-deserved break!)
Attempt Smoking Them!
These pupus are additionally superior cooked on an oblique grill (Pellet grill).
Because of the dimension of the water chestnuts, they will simply fall via the grate. So use a grill mat. Unfold the bacon wrapped water chestnuts out and set the oblique grill to 325. Allow them to prepare 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 aspect or fundamental dish the entire household loves. Pair them with savory island meals like kalua pork or savory pulled ham, Hawaiian bbq rooster, or spam fried rice. Spotlight the sweetness of the water chestnuts and in addition serve with a fruit salad, slices of recent or grilled pineapple, or slices of mango.
They’re all the time a success as an appetizer for get-togethers, potlucks, and events. Actually, any event! Serve crunchy, candy and salty water chestnuts alongside different finger food 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 ensure that the water chestnut is heated via however not overcook the bacon.
