Did you know our calendar is packed full of Food Holidays just waiting to be celebrated? Yep it sure is! And we think food wrapped in bacon is perfect for all holiday parties and not just on International Bacon Day! Rumaki is well known all over the world and continues to be a favorite party appetizer no matter what your cultural differences in flavors are. Give it a try. You really can't go wrong with bacon wrapped food ;)
What is Rumaki? A common incorrect spelling is ramaki.
"Rumaki is an hors d'oeuvre of mock-Polynesian origin. It was probably invented by Victor Bergeron, known as Trader Vic. The earliest known reference to it is on the 1941 menu of the "Don the Beachcomber" restaurant (Palm Springs). The name may be an alteration of Japanese harumaki 'spring roll'."
"Rumaki is a pūpū (hors d'œuvre) of Hawaiian origin. Its ingredients and method of preparation vary, but usually it consists of water chestnuts and pieces of chicken liver wrapped in bacon and marinated in soy sauce and either ginger or brown sugar."
(Yes, you can actually get away with serving liver to your guests.)
The Rumaki Recipe:
The Rumaki recipe is a classic party appetizer recipe, proving that anything wrapped in bacon tastes good—even liver. But you can opt for scallops, shrimp or stuffed olives, instead.
Ingredients
- 12 slices bacon, halved crosswise
- 12 ounces chicken livers, halved
- 12 whole water chestnuts, halved
Marinade
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
Procedure
1. The Rumaki recipe begins with the marinade: Combine soy sauce, ginger, sherry and sugar in a small bowl. Add the chicken livers and water chestnut pieces and marinate them in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour.
2. Place 1 chicken liver piece and 1 chestnut piece in the center of each bacon-half, wrap, and secure with a toothpick.
3. Place the Rumaki on a broiler pan or shallow baking pan and broil, about 5 or 6 inches from the heat, until the bacon is crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. Or, you may bake the appetizers in a 375 °F oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot. Makes 24 appetizers.
Notes, tips, and variations
- Add fresh sliced scallions to the combination above.
- Substitute sea scallops for the chicken livers and/or water chestnuts.
- Omit marinade and wrap bacon around smoked oysters, stuffed green olives, or pineapple chunks.
- Shrimp Rumaki: 1 medium shrimp with 1 whole water chestnut and a piece of green onion, with or without the marinade.
Other Bacon Favorites:
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Resources:
Pictured: Duck rumaki - duck meat and jalapenos wrapped in bacon
originally posted to Flickr as Photo of Duck Rumaki / license
"Bacon is a cut of meat taken from the sides, belly, or back of a pig, and then cured, smoked, or both. Bacon may be eaten fried, baked, or grilled, or used as a minor ingredient to flavour dishes. Bacon is also used for barding and larding roasts /game birds."
