Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (Pūpūs)

My mom lived on the Pacific island of Kwajalein for a number of years when she was rising up, and sometimes ate bacon-wrapped water chestnuts as a snack. Snacks and appetizers are referred to as pūpū. Since we ate these on a regular basis, our household merely referred to 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 somewhat chew from ginger and garlic. The mix of those flavors with salty and crisp bacon is unbelievably delicious! However whereas the style is large and daring, you’ll be completely happy to comprehend it takes little or no effort to make.

What makes this model particular is that I’ve examined a number of completely different substances and methods over many years to nail down one of the best 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 proper quantity, making an attempt kind of 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 disintegrate.
• Water Chestnuts: depart them complete and don’t attempt to lower in items.
• Soy Sauce: use common or low-sodium soy sauce. For a soy-free dish be happy to swap with coconut aminos.
• Lemon Lime Soda: any selection of name like Sprite. You should use pineapple juice for a extra tropical style, however we want the soda.
• Brown Sugar: mild brown is greatest for a candy however mellow style.
• Ginger and Garlic: use freshly minced for essentially the most taste. In a pinch you’ll be able to swap recent garlic on this recipe with 1/8 teaspoon of dry garlic.

Chef’s Ideas

Test earlier than slicing the bacon. Sometimes the strips of bacon are lower in half earlier than wrapping across the water chestnuts. However earlier than slicing, first test the size of the bacon versus the scale of the chestnuts. If the water chestnuts are on the smaller aspect, you would possibly be capable of lower 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, making an attempt 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 every one sides of the bacon might be crisp.

Preserve your eyes on them. The bacon crisping up would be the cue to know they’re performed. Take away them from the oven promptly in order 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 how you can 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 prime of the pan. Everybody can have enjoyable within the kitchen, and also you’ll be free to work on different dishes. (Or take somewhat well-deserved break!)

What to Serve with Pūpūs

Crisp water chestnuts wrapped in bacon are a scrumptious aspect or predominant dish the entire household loves. Pair them with savory island meals like kalua pork or savory pulled ham, Hawaiian bbq chicken, 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 at all times successful as an appetizer for get-togethers, potlucks, and events. Actually, any event! Serve crunchy, candy and salty water chestnuts alongside different finger meals snacks like cream cheese and avocado wontons and crab rangoons.