My family and I travel to Hawaii at least once a year as we are in love with the islands and the culture. I have always been a huge fan of island life, including the amazing food. When we visit Maui, we go to different restaurants and try the local favorites. There is a little restaurant in Lahaina called The Sunrise Cafe. They have this one dish on the menu that is our favorite–the Loco Moco–which is a hamburger patty over rice with brown gravy and an egg on top. This is such a simple yet amazing breakfast.
The Loco Moco was invented around 1949 in Hilo, Hawaii. Apparently, a group of teenagers were looking for an inexpensive meal that was an alternative to the American sandwiches they were used to, but quicker than the Asian breakfasts. The chefs came up with this mouth watering meal. Let me tell you, it is amazing! Comfort food at its best! I have taken this wonderful dish and put my own twist on it. My family and I prefer to eat a bit less for breakfast than is normally served when you combine the rice, an entire hamburger patty, egg, and gravy, so I decided skip the patty party and just mix the hamburger right into the gravy—I give you Loco Moco gravy! This gravy is perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Perfect for a warm, sunny, tropical island breakfast or a rainy day, where all you want to do is cuddle up in front of the television, put a good movie on, and eat a big bowl of comfort. I guarantee, you will not be disappointed!
Start by making some Jasmine rice per the package directions or in a rice cooker. For the gravy, take ground beef and brown it in a skillet over medium heat. Next, add diced onion and cook until the onion is translucent. Once the onions are done, remove the meat and onion from the skillet, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Return the skillet to the heat and add butter and one cup of flour. Mix thoroughly and cook until golden brown. Then, add beef broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Let it reduce until it’s a silky gravy that coats the back of the spoon. Add the meat and onion back into the gravy and mix to combine. In a separate skillet, fry an egg per your desire (sunny-side up, over easy, over medium…you get it). To serve, place rice onto a plate (whatever amount you want) and cover with the gravy. Place your fried egg on top and serve.
This is one of my son’s favorite meals. We went camping on the Californian northern coast this weekend and he couldn’t stop eating it. In his mind, this is breakfast, lunch, and dinner until it’s all gone! I truly hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as my family and I do! Enjoy!
