A delightful blend of flavors and textures awaits in a simple rice dish that perfectly balances warm and cold elements. This meal features creamy, buttery rice complemented by a chilled cucumber sauce, tangy pickles, and soft-centered eggs. The juxtaposition of hot and cold ingredients makes it an ideal choice for a quick, refreshing summer lunch or a cozy weeknight dinner.
To prepare this dish, you’ll need to start with the pickled cucumbers. Slice 200g of baby cucumbers into rounds and toss them with a teaspoon of flaky sea salt. In a separate bowl, mix 75ml of freshly boiled water with 3 tablespoons of caster sugar and an equal amount of white-wine vinegar. Pour this mixture over the cucumber slices and allow them to pickle while you focus on the rest of the ingredients.
The rice and eggs form the heart of this dish. Rinse 200g of Japanese short-grain rice under cold water until it runs clear, then cook it in a rice cooker or a saucepan with 250ml of cold water and a pinch of salt. Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it cook for eight minutes, then remove it from the heat and leave covered for another ten minutes. Meanwhile, boil two medium eggs for seven minutes, then rinse them under cold water and peel carefully.
Next, prepare the cucumber sauce by blending a large, peeled, and deseeded cucumber with 100g of crème fraîche, a generous pinch of flaky salt, and a garlic clove until smooth. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator with an ice cube to maintain its refreshing coolness. Drain the pickled cucumbers and mix them with a tablespoon of olive oil, chopped fresh dill, and half a teaspoon of dried mint for added flavor.
To assemble, divide the warm rice between two wide bowls, allowing pieces of 40g soft salted butter to melt into it. Spoon the chilled cucumber sauce around the rice, and add the pickled cucumbers on top. Halve the eggs and place them on the rice, finishing the dish with finely sliced spring onions and a generous seasoning of salt and freshly ground black pepper. This dish should be served immediately to appreciate the contrast between the warm rice and eggs with the chilled cucumber sauce and crisp pickles, offering a light yet satisfying meal.