A harmonious blend of warm and cold elements, this rice dish combines buttery rice with a cool cucumber sauce, tangy pickles, and soft-centered eggs. This delightful contrast offers a refreshing yet comforting culinary experience, making it an ideal choice for a quick summer lunch or a simple weeknight dinner.
To prepare the dish, begin with the pickled cucumbers. Slice 200g of baby cucumbers into rounds and place them in a heatproof bowl. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of flaky sea salt, tossing well to combine. In a separate bowl, mix 75ml of freshly boiled water with three tablespoons of caster sugar and white-wine vinegar. Pour this over the cucumbers and allow them to pickle while you move on to the other components.
Next, focus on the rice and eggs. Rinse 200g of Japanese short-grain rice under cold water until it’s clear, then drain thoroughly. Cook the rice using a rice cooker or a saucepan with 250ml of cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce to the lowest setting, cover, and let it cook for about eight minutes. Once done, remove from heat and keep covered for another 10 minutes.
For the cucumber sauce, blend a large peeled and deseeded cucumber with 100g of crème fraîche, a generous pinch of flaky salt, and a garlic clove until smooth. Refrigerate the sauce with an ice cube to maintain its cool temperature. Meanwhile, boil a saucepan of water and cook two medium eggs for seven minutes. Cool them immediately under running water and peel carefully.
To assemble the dish, divide the warm rice into two bowls, adding 40g of soft salted butter on top to melt. Spoon the cold cucumber sauce around the rice and top with the drained pickled cucumbers, tossed with a tablespoon of olive oil, chopped fresh dill, and half a teaspoon of dried mint. Halve the eggs and place them atop the rice, garnishing with finely sliced spring onions. Season the eggs generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper before serving. This dish should be enjoyed immediately, ensuring the warm rice and eggs perfectly contrast with the chilled sauce and crisp pickles, delivering a light and satisfying meal.