Ingredients
Units Scale
For the Sushi Rice:
- 1 cup sushi rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Sushi Filling (Choose one or more):
- Sushi-grade raw fish (such as tuna or salmon), thinly sliced
- Cooked and seasoned shrimp
- Avocado, thinly sliced
- Cucumber, thinly sliced into matchsticks
- Carrot, thinly sliced into matchsticks
- Cream cheese, thinly sliced (for a Philadelphia roll)
- Seaweed (Nori) sheets
- Soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi for serving
Equipment:
- Bamboo sushi rolling mat (Makisu)
- Plastic wrap or a plastic food storage bag
Instructions
1. Prepare the Sushi Rice:
- Rinse the sushi rice under cold running water until the water runs clear.
- Combine the rinsed rice and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
- In a small saucepan, heat the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt over low heat until the sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from heat.
- Transfer the cooked rice to a large bowl and while it’s still hot, add the seasoned rice vinegar. Gently mix and fan the rice to cool it down while maintaining a glossy appearance. Cover with a damp cloth to keep it moist.
2. Prepare the Sushi Fillings:
- Slice your chosen fillings into thin strips or pieces, ensuring they are long enough to fit across the width of your seaweed sheets.
3. Assemble the Sushi:
- Lay a bamboo sushi rolling mat on a clean surface and cover it with plastic wrap or a plastic food storage bag to prevent sticking.
- Place a sheet of seaweed (Nori) on top of the plastic wrap with the rough side facing up.
4. Add Sushi Rice:
- Wet your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking. Take a handful of sushi rice (about the size of a small apple) and spread it evenly over the seaweed, leaving about half an inch of seaweed on one edge.
5. Add Fillings:
- Place your chosen fillings on top of the rice, near the center of the seaweed sheet.
6. Roll the Sushi:
- Using the bamboo mat, carefully lift the edge of the seaweed closest to you and fold it over the fillings, tucking it tightly.
- Continue rolling away from you while applying gentle pressure to create a cylindrical sushi roll.
- Wet the exposed edge of the seaweed with a bit of water to seal the roll.
7. Slice and Serve:
- Use a sharp, wet knife to slice the sushi roll into bite-sized pieces. Dip the knife in water between cuts to prevent sticking.
- Serve your homemade sushi with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi.