Midwest Loco Moco

If you’ve ever had the Hawaiian loco moco then you need to check out this midwestern version. Cauliflower rice topped with a turkey patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg.

This month for the Secret Recipe Club, I picked a recipe from Our Good Life. From the get go, Terri’s blog invites you to come hang out on her porch and stay awhile. With recipes such as pork steaks with root beer BBQ sauce, lemon confetti bundt cake, and slow cooker spaghetti sauce I would have a hard time leaving anyway! And after seeing a recipe titled “Midwest Loco Moco” I knew I had to try it even though I had never heard of a loco moco before, let alone a Midwest version.

Apparently a loco moco is a contemporary meal typically found in Hawaii and consists of white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. This midwest version changes things a little bit with cauliflower rice and a turkey patty. While I am not entirely sure how cauliflower and turkey turn something midwestern, I will say that this meal was wonderfully comforting and could easily function as a breakfast or dinner meal.

I have a weakness for burger patties topped with fried eggs.

One year ago: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Yogurt Covered Pretzels

Three years ago: Sweet Potato Kale Pizza with Rosemary & Red Onion

Four years ago: “Don’t Judge Me” Mac & Cheese

MIDWEST LOCO MOCO

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower

2-1/2 Tbsp olive oil, divided

1 lb. ground turkey

2 tsp steak seasoning

3 Tbsp unsalted butter

2 Tbsp minced onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1 cup reduced sodium vegetable broth

2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce

Salt and pepper, to taste

4 eggs

Directions:

1. Remove the leaves from the cauliflower head, remove the white core, and divide into flowerettes. Pulse in a food processor until it resembles rice. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add cauliflower, cover and cook for 5 minutes, or until desired doneness. Remove from heat.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, gently mix the turkey with the steak seasoning and form four patties. In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil oil over medium heat. Add turkey patties and fry 5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness. Set aside and cover with foil to keep warm.
3. In the same pan that the patties were cooked in, turn up to medium-high heat and melt butter. Add onions and garlic and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat and make a roux by adding the flour a little at a time, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. While whisking, add the vegetable broth and soy sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste and cook until gravy has reached the desired thickness. Set aside.
4. In a medium skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Fry four eggs to your desired doneness.
5. To assemble, scoop a cup of cauliflower rice onto plate, top with a turkey burger, pour brown gravy over the burger, and then top with one of the fried eggs. Repeat for remaining servings.

Source: Adapted slightly from Our Good Life.