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 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 actually made with love! It begins with a easy however flavorful marinade that’s candy, savory, and has just a little chew from ginger and garlic. The mixture of those flavors with salty and crisp bacon is unbelievably delicious! However whereas the style is large and daring, you’ll be joyful to realize it takes little or no effort to make.

What makes this model particular is that I’ve examined a number of completely different elements and strategies over a long time to nail down the very best flavors and cooking strategies. Once 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, 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 crumble.
• Water Chestnuts: go away them entire and don’t attempt to reduce 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 brand name like Sprite. You need to use pineapple juice for a extra tropical style, however we want the soda.
• Brown Sugar: gentle brown is greatest for a candy however mellow style.
• Ginger and Garlic: use freshly minced for essentially the most taste. In a pinch you possibly can swap contemporary garlic on this recipe with 1/8 teaspoon of dry garlic.

Chef’s Suggestions

Test earlier than chopping the bacon. Usually the strips of bacon are reduce 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 may be capable to reduce the bacon strips into thirds.

When inserting within the toothpick, typically the water chestnut can cut up. Make sure to push the toothpick by way of the middle, not the sting to forestall splitting. Go straight by way of, 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 by way of cooking. That is necessary so that every one sides of the bacon will be crisp.

Hold 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 children assist! Present them a couple of 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 high of the pan. Everybody can have enjoyable within the kitchen, and also you’ll be free to work on different dishes. (Or take just a little well-deserved break!)

What to Serve with Pūpūs

Crisp water chestnuts wrapped in bacon are a scrumptious aspect or important 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 contemporary 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 meals snacks like cream cheese and avocado wontons and crab rangoons.