Mauritian upside-down rice bowl

Upside-down rice is a childhood memory from my holidays in Mauritius when I lived on Réunion Island: it's known for its unique visual appeal and varied flavors. The principle is simple yet ingenious: vegetables, a protein, and a deliciously fragrant sauce are placed at the bottom of a bowl, covered with rice, and then inverted when serving to create an elegant presentation. Traditionally made with simple, local ingredients, this gluten-free version of upside-down rice respects the authenticity of the recipe while making it accessible to those following a gluten-free diet. This balanced dish is ideal for a lunch or dinner that's a little out of the ordinary.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time 30 minutes

Total time 40 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Special diet: naturally gluten-free

Ingredients

200g basmati or jasmine rice
200g of diced chicken or pork, or peeled shrimp
1 carrots, sliced
1 courgette, cut into thin sticks
1 sliced bell pepper
3 young corn kernels, diced (optional)
1 chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
4 eggs
3 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari)
1 tbsp of rice vinegar (gluten-free)
1 tbsp gluten-free oyster sauce (optional)
1 tsp of sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetable oil for cooking
1 handful of fresh coriander for garnish

Preparation

1
Cooking the rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to the package instructions and set aside.
2
Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix the gluten-free soy sauce, rice vinegar, gluten-free oyster sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Set aside.
3
Cooking the vegetables: Heat a little oil in a frying pan or wok. Add the garlic, onion, bell pepper, carrot, zucchini, and corn if using. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Remove them from the wok and set aside.
4
Cooking the protein: In the same pan, sauté the chicken, pork, or shrimp in a little oil until cooked through. Add the stir-fried vegetables and the prepared sauce. Let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5
Cooking the eggs: In a small pan, cook the eggs sunny-side up (or an omelet if you prefer)
6
Assembly: If you have an omelet, take a bowl and start by placing a piece of omelet at the bottom. Then add the vegetable and chicken or shrimp mixture, and cover everything with a generous portion of cooked rice. If you have fried eggs, place them on top of the mixture after inverting the bowl.
7
To serve: Place a plate on top of the bowl and gently invert it. Carefully lift the bowl to reveal a beautifully presented upside-down bowl of rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately.
8
Mauritian upside-down rice is a convivial and colorful dish that will surprise your guests with both its presentation and its rich, balanced flavors. Perfect for adding variety to your meals, while also being suitable for gluten-free diets.

Keywords: Mauritian upside-down rice bowl, Mauritian recipe