In the beginning, cycling seemed to be the perfect answer to my sweet tooth. Most of the bars, gels, and drinks that are abundantly available are sweet, gooey delights. And, oh so many flavors!! But, seriously, there comes a point… (and I say this as a person who can eat cherry pie filling out of a can with a spoon!) Enough is enough! Give me something else to eat.
I’ve been excited about reading and trying new recipes out of The Feed Zone, a cookbook written by Allen Lim and Biju Thomas. There are many good tasting, simple recipes designed to fit with the demands of training that are being placed on the body. Whether you are an athlete or not the recipes are bound to be part of fueling an active lifestyle. One of the recipes I’ve liked a lot and hope to get creative with at some point are Allen’s Rice Cakes. As a replacement for a sports bar, they are mighty tasty. For you bacon lovers… there’s bacon.
Here’s a reprint of Allen Lim’s Rice Cakes (Video)
Servings > 10
Time > 30 minutes
I started making these rice cakes at training camps and races to give riders something savory and fresh to eat while on the bike. They became a huge hit since almost everything the riders ate was pre-packaged and sweet. Not only are these rice cakes delicious, they also provide a consistent energy source that doesn’t upset the stomach.
2 cups uncooked calrose or other medium-grain “sticky” rice
3 cups water
8 ounces bacon
4 eggs
2 tablespoons liquid amino acids or low-sodium soy sauce
brown sugar
salt and grade parmesan (optional)
We always use calrose rice, a strain of medium-grain rice common in Asian cooking. This variety cooks
fast (in 20 minutes or less), retains a nutty flavor, and is just sticky enough to hold our cakes together. If you can’t find it, use another medium-grain rice or any kind marked “sushi rice.”
1. Combine rice and water in a rice cooker.
2. While rice is cooking, chop up bacon before frying, then fry in a medium sauté pan. When crispy, drain off fat and soak up excess fat with paper towels.
3. Beat the eggs in a small bowl and then scramble on high heat in the sauté pan. Don’t worry about overcooking the eggs, as they’ll break up easily when mixed with the rice.
4. In a large bowl or in the rice cooker bowl, combine the cooked rice, bacon, and scrambled eggs. Add liquid amino acids or soy sauce and sugar to taste. After mixing, press into an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan to about 1½-inch thickness. Top with more brown sugar, salt to taste, and grated parmesan, if desired.
Cut and wrap individual cakes. Makes about 10 rice cakes.
PER SERVING (1 cake)> Energy 225 cal • Fat 8 g • Sodium 321 mg • Carbs 30 g • Fiber 1 g • Protein 9 g
