Sushipoppers Recipes

SUSHI POPPERS

Steps:

• In a large shallow dish, spread rice and sprinkle with seasoned rice vinegar and sesame seeds.
• Using a wooden spoon, toss gently to combine, (DO NOT STIR or rice will clump).
• Keep rice covered with a damp cloth if not using immediately.
• Using wet fingers, place a rounded teaspoonful of rice in the palm of your hand and roll into a ball.
• Make an indentation in the center with your finger.
• Place your choice of desired filling in the indentation.
• In small bowls, make up a combination of fillings that you enjoy.
• Dip fingers into water and pack rice firmly around filling to make a small ball.
• Repeat with remaining rice and your choice of filling.
• Sprinkle each popper with toasted sesame seeds and a dot of wasabi paste and place on a platter.
• Cover with plastic wrap and keep at room temperature until ready to serve.

SIMPLE SUSHI

Steps:

• KIDS the writing in bold is for you. ADULTS the rest is for you. TO MAKE SUSHI ROLLS: Pat out some rice. Lay a nori sheet on the mat, shiny-side down. Dip your hands in the vinegared water, then pat handfuls of rice on top in a 1cm thick layer, leaving the furthest edge from you clear.
• Spread over some Japanese mayonnaise. Use a spoon to spread out a thin layer of mayonnaise down the middle of the rice.
• Add the filling. Get your child to top the mayonnaise with a line of their favourite fillings - here we've used tuna and cucumber.
• Roll it up. Lift the edge of the mat over the rice, applying a little pressure to keep everything in a tight roll.
• Stick down the sides like a stamp. When you get to the edge without any rice, brush with a little water and continue to roll into a tight roll.
• Wrap in cling film. Remove the mat and roll tightly in cling film before a grown-up cuts the sushi into thick slices, then unravel the cling film.
• TO MAKE PRESSED SUSHI: Layer over some smoked salmon. Line a loaf tin with cling film, then place a thin layer of smoked salmon inside on top of the cling film.
• Cover with rice and press down. Press about 3cm of rice over the fish, fold the cling film over and press down as much as you can, using another tin if you have one.
• Tip it out like a sandcastle. Turn block of sushi onto a chopping board. Get a grown-up to cut into fingers, then remove the cling film.
• TO MAKE SUSHI BALLS: Choose your topping. Get a small square of cling film and place a topping, like half a prawn or a small piece of smoked salmon, on it. Use damp hands to roll walnut-sized balls of rice and place on the topping.
• Make into tight balls. Bring the corners of the cling film together and tighten into balls by twisting it up, then unwrap and serve.

THE PERFECT SIMPLIFIED SUSHI VINEGAR

Steps:

• Stir the rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and lemon juice together in a saucepan until the sugar and salt have dissolved; bring the mixture almost to a simmer over low heat, but not allow to boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Store in refrigerator.

CALIFORNIA SUSHI CANAPéS

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1 cup water and the rice to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Transfer to large bowl, tossing rice with chopsticks or 2 forks to cool slightly. Gradually add vinegar, tossing constantly. Cover bowl with damp towel; cool rice about 45 minutes or until room temperature.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together sauce ingredients. Cover; refrigerate until ready to assemble canapés.
• Cut cucumber into 32 slices, each about 1/4 inch thick. Arrange on serving platter. For each canapé, place 1 piece of nori on each cucumber slice. Top each with about 1/4 teaspoon sauce. Scoop rice using 1 measuring teaspoon, pressing rice against side of bowl to pack into spoon and hold shape of spoon. Carefully remove rice from spoon; dip flat side into sesame seed and place, flat side down, on sauce. If necessary, carefully reshape rice with fingers. Top with bell pepper or other toppings (or a combination). Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours.