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 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 really made with love! It begins with a easy however flavorful marinade that’s candy, savory, and has a little bit chunk 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 satisfied to understand it takes little or no effort to make.

What makes this model particular is that I’ve examined a number of totally different substances and methods over a long time to nail down the perfect 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 proper quantity, attempting roughly 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 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 alternative of brand name like Sprite. You should use pineapple juice for a extra tropical style, however we desire the soda.
• Brown Sugar: gentle brown is finest 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 Ideas

Examine earlier than chopping the bacon. Usually 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 may be capable to lower the bacon strips into thirds.

When inserting within the toothpick, generally the water chestnut can break up. You’ll want to push the toothpick by means of the middle, not the sting to forestall splitting. Go straight by means of, attempting to not wiggle the toothpick an excessive amount of. Watch your arms!

Use a baking sheet that’s lined with parchment paper for fast and simple cleanup.

Use tongs to show the water chestnuts midway by means of cooking. That is necessary 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 carried out. 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 couple of times methods to 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 may have enjoyable within the kitchen, and also you’ll be free to work on different dishes. (Or take a little bit well-deserved break!)

What to Serve with Pūpūs

Crisp water chestnuts wrapped in bacon are a scrumptious aspect or fundamental 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 likewise serve with a fruit salad, slices of contemporary or grilled pineapple, or slices of mango.

They’re all the time 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.