Japanese Vegetable And Rice Stuffed Tofu Inari Sushi Recipes

JAPANESE VEGETABLE AND RICE STUFFED TOFU: INARI SUSHI

Steps:

• Whisk the vinegar and sugar together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine the rice, water, and 1 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Wrap the pan's lid tightly with a small kitchen towel and cover the saucepan. (Make sure the towel's edges are folded up well away from the heat.) Bring to a boil, lower the heat to low, and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Remove the rice from the heat (don't uncover) and set aside for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and transfer it to a large bowl. Add the vinegar mixture and toss with the rice, using a wooden spoon. Spread it out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Fan the rice continuously with a fan or magazine until cooled. Cover the rice with a damp towel.
• Pour about 1 inch of water into a large saucepan and set up a collapsible steamer inside. Bring the water to boil, put the carrots and mushrooms in the steamer, cover, and steam until tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer the carrots and mushrooms to a large bowl, add the remaining 2 teaspoons salt, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, and stir to combine. Let cool.
• When the vegetable mixture has cooled, add the cucumber, pickled daikon, lime juice, and lime zest and toss to combine. Add the rice and, using a rubber spatula, lightly mix with the vegetable mixture.
• Set a small bowl of water beside you. Lightly wet your hands and form the vegetable rice into 12 small football-like shapes. Stuff the rice into the tofu pockets and press the sides together. Stuff a few tuffs of radish sprouts in the sides, if using. Stand the tofu packages up on a serving platter and sprinkle with the sansho. Serve with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce.
• Serving suggestions: Pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce.

INARI ZUSHI

Steps:

• Cut the aburage in half horizontally, and carefully separate the sides of the cut section with your fingers to form a pouch.
• To remove excess oil, place the aburage into a large heat-proof bowl in the sink and pour about 1 to 2 liters of boiling water over them, stirring to expose all pieces; drain into a colander, rinse with cold water and gently squeeze out the water.
• Combine the sugar, soy sauce and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Add the aburage and cook over medium heat, stirring from time to time, until well flavored; remove from heat and let cool.
• If using, toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan, and mix into the sushi rice.
• Gently squeeze out the liquid from a piece of aburage; scoop up a portion of rice about the size of an egg, in one hand, and stuff it into the aburage pouch.
• Fold over the cut ends, press lightly to shape, and place cut side down on a serving dish.
• Garnish with pickled ginger.

INARIZUSHI (INARI SUSHI)

Steps:

• Press each fried tofu square using a rolling pin to flatten. Place flour in a bowl and toss tofu in the flour. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook until golden brown, turning from time to time, 4 to 6 minutes. Set aside to cool while you prepare the rice.
• Bring 4 cups salted water to a boil in a pot, add rice, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until rice is tender, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff, draining any excess water. Stir in rice vinegar and additional salt. Keep warm.
• Cut fried tofu squares in half and carefully open to make pouches.
• Heat 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in sugar and soy sauce. Add tofu and cook until liquid has evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove tofu pouches and stuff with rice.