Sushi rolls are delectable treats enjoyed by many at Japanese restaurants all over the world. You can make your own sushi to your tastes at a fraction of the cost. To make sushi at home, you just need the proper equipment, including short-grain sushi rice, a sharp knife and, of course, a bamboo sushi mat. Constructed of thin strips of bamboo loosely bound to make a flat, rectangular, but flexible surface, sushi mats help tightly roll together the seaweed, sticky rice and fillings to create a sushi roll. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Gather and prepare sushi ingredients. Cook the sticky rice. Chop preferred sushi fillings into thin strips for easy rolling.
2. Cover the bamboo sushi mat with cling wrap. This will prevent the ingredients (especially the rice) from sticking to the mat, making clean-up much simpler.
3. Place a half sheet of nori (or a whole sheet of if making futomaki, or very thick rolls of sushi) shiny side down on top of the bamboo mat. Line up the edges of the nori with the edges of the mat.
4. Cover the sheet of nori, except for a 1/2 inch-thick strip on either end, with a thin layer (about 1/4-inch thick) of sticky rice. Use a rice paddle or a wooden spoon to spread the rice evenly.
5. Position sushi fillings lengthwise on top of the rice. Make sure the ingredients are centered within the rice.
6. Dampen with water the edge of the nori not covered with rice. This will help seal the roll.
7. Start folding the end of the bamboo mat with the exposed nori toward the opposite end of the rice-covered nori. At the same time, guide the sushi fillings toward the center of the roll with your fingers.
8. When the rolling edge of the mat hits the flat edge of the mat, slightly curl the bamboo toward the roll to form a tube shape. Once the roll is completely covered with the mat, squeeze the roll to firm and shape it further.
9. Unfurl the mat from the newly formed sushi roll, which, if properly rolled, should look like a tube. Cut the roll into small, bite-sized pieces using a very sharp knife and serve.
Tags: sticky rice, sushi fillings, covered with, sharp knife, sheet nori