Loco Moco

This Hawaiian dish has a crazy name.  In Spanish, "loco" means crazy and "moco" means bugger.  So it sounds a bit inappropriate to be a food's name...how elegant of me to be writing about bugger in food blog but I had to mention it!  I just wikied what it really means in Hawaiian and it says; loco means local and moco is just the fun sound added to give rhythm.  Despite the funky name (at least for Spanish speaking family like us), it's a hearty&easy home-made dish that everyone loves.

Loco Moco is popular also in Japan and many chic restaurant-cafes have it on their lunch menu.  Though none of them beat the ones you get in local drive-ins or diners in Hawaii, with a big scoop pf potato/macaroni salad on the side!  Maybe it's because of the sun and laid-back island-ambiance.  Unfortunately I am thousands miles away from the fantastic island, so I try at least to simulate life of island at the dinner.  I made the hamburger patty based on Japanese Hamburg Steak (Hamba-gu) adding some spices because I like it spicy but you can do with your favorite recipe.  

-Mar. 3 grocery shopping € 16.47/ € 233.53 left

Ingredients (4 servings)
 ...<for patties>
500g/1.1lbs ground beef
1 medium onion
1 egg
1/2 cup Panko
2/3 cup milk
1/3 tsp. nutmeg
1/3 tsp. coriander powder
1/4 tsp. cumin powder
salt&pepper
 ...<for gravy>
1 tbsp. butter
1 cup beef stock
1 tbsp. corn starch

chopped spring onion to garnish

Directions
1. Cook rice.  Combine Panko and milk.  Chop onion finely and cook in microwave, covered for 3 min.
2. In a big bowl combine meat, egg, onion, spices and panko with milk.  Mix well with hands.  Form round patties.
3. In a skillet heat oil over medium heat and cook patties, about 4 min. each side until inside is cooked.  Take patties out and set aside.
4. In the same skillet melt butter.  Add combined beef stock and corn starch and heat until you get desired thickness.
5. Meanwhile, fry egg in a different pan.
6. Place rice as a base, then patty and fried egg on top.  Pour gravy over.