The tofu should be pressed so the batter will adhere to it. Place the block between two clean dishtowels or paper towels. Set a bowl holding a few canned items on top. Drain for 10 minutes. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hoursSushi Prep Time: 30 minutesMakes 4 rolls (20…
Typically, spider sushi rolls feature a fried soft-shell crab inside a thick roll. The playful name describes how the legs of the crab extend beyond the sides of the roll. Here, fried shimeji and enoki mushrooms provide a similar, vegetarian-friendly effect. Rice Prep…
My use of pickled okra has become somewhat of a “signature” throughout my sushi career. It is a nod to my Southern roots, and I almost always feature it in some form. Here, I like it paired with fresh corn kernels. If the corn is very sweet and fresh, you can forego…
Tossing a bit of grated beet with the sushi rice gives it a pleasant pink hue and prevents your rolls from looking as if they are bleeding. Regardless of the type of beet you use, be sure to mix some of it with your sushi rice before making the rolls for the best…
Many sushi bars like to add spicy mayonnaise to their fillings, but I prefer to add it to the tops of rolls, where it stays tidy. Adding it to the mix makes things messy, as the mayonnaise often oozes out the sides during the rolling process. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½…
Creamy butternut squash pairs well with sweet and spicy crystallized ginger. If, like me, you’re particularly fond of crystallized ginger, provide some on the side in place of pickled ginger as a palate cleanser. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hoursSushi Prep Time: 30…
Crisp Granny Smith apples and daikon make a lovely pair. Depending on your personal preference, the apple can be peeled or unpeeled. To keep the apple from browning, toss with a little rice vinegar. Just be sure to pat the pieces completely dry before adding to the…
If you don’t have the time to make Miso-Pickled Eggplant, you can still enjoy this sushi. Roasted or grilled eggplant with neutral seasonings makes a good substitute. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hoursSushi Prep Time: 15 minutesMakes 8 inari-sushi pouches 1 teaspoon…
Most types of sushi do not fare well after a day of refrigeration. These inari pouches are an exception. The sushi rice is mixed with a flavorful sauce, then completely concealed inside moist tofu-skin pouches. This minimizes the usual drying that occurs when sushi…
Did you know that the seaweed salad offered in sushi bars often contains dried fish? If you love seaweed salad but don’t eat fish, this salad will help satisfy your cravings. Prep Time: 15 minutesMakes 4 servings 3 oz (85 g) dried mixed seaweed½ cup (125 ml) Amazu…
It is not uncommon to slice open a lotus root and find that it is dirty inside. To clean, place lotus root slices in a bowl of cool water. Swish them around for a few seconds, then allow them to sit undisturbed. The lotus root slices will float to the top and the dirt…
If you don’t have a mandoline, use a vegetable peeler to slice the ginger root as thinly as possible. Prep Time: 25 minutesMakes about 4 servings One 2-in (5-cm) length fresh ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced4 tablespoons salt1 cup (250 ml) Sushi Rice Dressing…