Simmered tofu packets (inari) have a sweet and savory flavor that makes them a favorite when stuffed with tangy sushi rice. They’re just as tasty cut into strips and tucked inside sushi rolls. Always pat away any excess liquid from the strips before adding them to...
Roasted Poblano and Avocado Sushi Rolls
This is a Tex-Mex–style sushi roll. Be sure to use cooked black beans, not Chinese black fermented soybeans. Kick up the South of the Border flavor by serving salsa alongside the rolls. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hours (note that the Ponzu Sauce must be made a day...
California Rolls
The buttery feel of avocado across the palate inspired sushi chefs in the ’70s, when an ingredient with a similar texture was nearly impossible to obtain in California. California Rolls get their name from the avocados they contain—the fruits grow abundantly there....
Coconut Tempura Tofu Rolls
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...
Mushroom “Spider” Rolls
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...
Sweet Potato and Shiitake Rolls
I enjoy sweet potatoes in almost any form, especially when the flavor is sweet and salty. As an alternative to boiled sweet potatoes, try Soy Glazed Sweet Potatoes. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hoursSushi Prep Time: 30 minutesMakes 4 rolls (20 pieces) 1½ cups (375 ml)...
Cucumber-Wrapped Rolls
In sushi school, one of the skills we worked on daily was learning to cut vegetables into long, thin continuous sheets that could be used as wrappers. It requires a special kind of knife as well as a special kind of patience. These cucumber-wrapped rolls offer a...
Summer Corn and Pickled Okra Rolls
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...
Ginger Beet Rolls
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...
Spicy Tofu Rolls
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...