Summer Chirashi Zushi Recipes

CHIRASHI SUSHI (ZUSHI)

Steps:

• To Complete the Zushi Bowl: Place a cup of rice, cooled to just above room temperature, in the bottom of each of 6 bowls. Add a layer of the avocado slices, distributing evenly in any pattern you choose. Sprinkle a pinch or two of salt over each bowl. Add the raw matchstick vegetables in an even, randomly arranged layer, and sprinkle on the nori confetti. Add the fish on top, arranging as you wish, perhaps in twists or rolls. Scatter scallions and sesame seeds on top. Serve with condiments like soy sauce, wasabi, pickled ginger and rice vinegar, so diners can season and toss sushi with chopsticks or spoons.
• To Make Sushi Rice: In a fine strainer, rinse the rice with cold running water, until water runs clear. Pour rice into pot with 2 cups cold water; let sit 30 minutes.
• Bring rice to a boil over medium-high heat; immediately turn heat to low and cover. Cook 10 minutes, remove from heat and let sit, covered, 15 minutes. In a small saucepan, dissolve the sugar and salt in the rice vinegar over a low flame. Pour evenly over rice and fold gently with a wooden spoon to mix. Leave rice in front of a fan, or fan with a piece of cardboard for 15 minutes or until rice is just above room temperature. Makes 6 cups.

CHIRASHI SUSHI OR CHIRASHIZUSHI

Steps:

• Wash the rice in a large bowl. Keep on washing it until the water comes out almost clear. Drain the rice and set aside for half an hour. In the rice cooker, add about 2 1/3 cup of water and the rice. Let the rice soak in the water for another half an hour and then start cook until done.
• In the meantime, mix the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a sauce pan. Cook on low heat and heat until the sugar dissolves and then let it cool . Spread the rice (while it still hot) into a plate or a bowl and sprinkle the vinegar mixture over the rice. Using a rice spatula or a spoon, fold the rice quickly. (the amount is to taste, but use very generously.)
• Rehydrated the shiitaki mushrooms in 2 cups of warm water and reserve the water for cooking. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and slice them thinly.
• Heat 2/3 cup of the reserved mushroom water. Add the sliced shiitake, soy sauce and sugar; simmer on low heat until the liquid is evaporated. Set aside.
• In a large bowl beat the eggs and add 1/2 tablespoon sugar. In an oiled skillet, pour a scoop of egg mixture to make a small crepe-like omelette. Repeat to make a few more until mixture is entirely used. Cut cooked egg into strips.
• Serve the sushi rice using individual bowls and scatter the remaining toppings on top, covering the rice: the sliced shiitake mushrooms, the carrot and cucumber, the imitation crab meat, egg strips and sesame seeds.

SUMMER CHIRASHI ZUSHI

Steps:

• For the rice: Place the dry rice in a medium bowl and fill the bowl about halfway with cool water. Stir gently with your hand for about 30 seconds, then drain the water completely. Repeat, filling the bowl halfway up again with cool water, gently stirring the rice with your hand for about 30 seconds. Drain again.
• Combine the measured filtered water and rinsed rice in the bowl of your rice cooker or in a heavy-bottomed 4-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let the rice soak in the water at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight. You will not change out the water before cooking, this pre-measured water is what the rice will soak in and then cook in.
• After soaking, keep the rice in its soaking water. If using a rice cooker, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cooking medium-grain white rice. If cooking on the stovetop, put the pot on the stovetop, uncovered, and bring to a boil over medium heat. This will take about 7 minutes.
• Cover the pot, lower the heat to the lowest possible setting, and cook without lifting the lid (don't peek) for 15 to 17 minutes. Remove from the heat and, without opening the lid, let the rice rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the lid, wet a rice paddle or wooden spoon and gently fluff the rice. Replace the lid and allow the rice to rest for another 5 minutes.
• For the chirashi: Prepare the green beans and broccolini by bringing a small saucepan of water to a boil over medium heat. Slice off the broccolini tops, creating small florets, and set aside. Add the green beans, broccolini stalks and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the water with a slotted spoon and allow to cool. Cut the green beans on the diagonal into 1-inch-thick slices. Cut the broccolini stalks into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
• Thinly slice the cucumbers on a mandoline or with a knife into rounds about 1/8 inch thick.
• Bring the water back to a boil and add the broccolini florets. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from the water and cool. Set aside.
• Heat a well-seasoned 10-inch cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Make egg ribbons by whisking together the eggs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Strain the eggs through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl. Spread the oil evenly over the pan with a paper towel and increase the heat to medium. Add a quarter of the beaten egg mixture and spread it over the pan to make a thin crêpe. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, turn off the heat and cook for about 10 seconds. The residual heat and the lid will work together to cook the egg. After 10 seconds, remove the lid and you should find a perfectly set egg.
• Transfer the crêpe to a cutting board to cool. Repeat with more oil as needed and the eggs to make 4 crêpes. When cooled, cut each in half and stack them. Slice the stack into ribbons about 1/8-inch-by-2-inches. Set aside. If using nori, slice it into strips that are 2 inches long and thinner than the egg ribbons; store in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crispy.
• Make the dressing for the rice by whisking together the vinegar, sugar and remaining 2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Transfer the freshly cooked hot rice into a large bowl or handai (wooden sushi rice container; if using a handai, be sure to wet it first and give it a light wipe with a clean kitchen towel to prevent the rice grains from sticking to it). Add the vinegar dressing. Toss to combine, moving the rice paddle diagonally to avoid mashing the grains. Add the ginger, finely chopped shiso leaves and sesame seeds to the rice. Mix gently. Transfer the rice to a large platter or leave it in the handai.
• Garnish the rice with the egg ribbons, green bean slices, cucumbers and broccolini florets and stems. Place the whole green shiso leaves on top. Divide the ikura between the shiso leaves. Sprinkle with the nori strips if using and sesame seeds. Serve immediately (see Cook's Note).