Back when I was in my early twenties I had my first hibachi grill dining experience, while on vacation with my family. It sounded like such a great idea. Japanese food! There’d be tons of stuff I could eat! It didn’t really work out that way though. The chef would start on something I’d totally want to eat, and then dive into it with a spatula that had just been in chicken. Or throw an egg in the mix. Or something that made everyone around the table cringe and then send pitiful looks my way. I’m sure most of the veggie burgers I ate back then had been grilled on the same surface as a hamburger or something, but somehow seeing it just takes away the magic. So, I made my own vegan hibachi food! And oh my god it’s SO GOOD! I’m all about the Asian eats lately, aren’t I? Well, this recipe was meant to be posted some time next month, but like I said, this stuff is mighty tasty. I got so excited I had to post it today. You’re going to love this… it’s buttery, savory, a little earthy and boozy from the sake, delicious all around. Also, you have to make this for your Valentine’s Day date. You don’t want to go out to one of those hibachi grills. They’re always so loud, and shouting sweet nothings in each other’s ears is not romantic. Also, you’ll get all bummed when they throw an egg in your fried rice, and you’ll end up ordering sushi anyway. Make this at home. This is pretty indulgent, and a little more involved than my normal fried rice. I used margarine instead of oil. There’s some sake in there. There’s tofu bacon that gets baked and then pan fried, because that gives it a perfect crispy coating that jives beautifully with fried rice. You could take shortcuts or make substitutions, but please don’t do that. Trust me. You and your date will thank me.
