Here's the thing about sushi: it is delicious and also expensive. I feel like there's almost always something else I should be spending my money on other than sushi (there is). Maybe the problem is that I can never just settle for like, an avocado roll. I want a zonie roll, a yellow monkey roll, hamachi and hirame sashimi, lobster hand roll, some edamame and an avocado roll. And all of that is just for me -- I order sushi like I'm the ruler of a small, financially solvent country / I have a tapeworm.
The obvious solution to this problem is the sushi bowl.
Sushi bowls are inexpensive and require no special rolling or cutting skills! Also, unlike some sushi pieces, the bite-sized bites are actually bite-sized, because, you know, you put them on forks. This is especially special when you're trying to appeal to a six year-old.
Ingredients
1 c sushi rice (the world will not end if you use another type of rice)
2 c water
1/4 c seasoned rice vinegar (or more / less)
cucumber
red / yellow pepper
carrots
avocado
marinated and pan-fried extra firm tofu
toasted sesame seeds
tamari / soy / ponzu
1. How do you marinate your tofu? I do these things:
+ drain it, obviously
+ whisk this together: 1/4 c soy sauce, 1/4 water, 1 Tbl honey, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 crushed garlic clove
+ slice the tofu into tofu-like slices
+ pour marinade over tofu and refrigerate for 15 mins or more
2. Rinse the rice three or four times. This keeps it from sticking together via starches, so we can make it stick together later via sugars because we're totally in control. Put the water and rice in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to low, cover and simmer for around 20 minutes, shaking occasionally. (It might be my own compulsion, but I like to hold the lid against the saucepan and give it a few shoves back and forth to make sure nothing sticks. I'm basically obsessed with rice not sticking.)
3. What a spectacular time to slice your vegetables! Do that. Slice them into thin strips. Or chop them? This is your dream bowl and I think you should follow your heart.
4. Pan-fry the tofu. Just, you know, fry it in a pan until it's brown or you get bored.
5. Spread the rice out onto a large thing, like a baking sheet or shallow dish. Drizzle vinegar over the rice a tablespoon at a time. Now really gently toss / fold things around. This will take a minute, but it's going in the bottom of a bowl, so don't get too particular. The rice should be sticky and shiny and more or less delicious.
6. Hello it is time to get a bowl and put some rice into it. Top that with the tofu and sliced vegetables. I didn't have tofu or avocado, so you'll need to use your imagination. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and tamari/soy/ponzu. If you like nori more than we do, you could toast a sheet or two and put some strips on top. That will look really fancy.
7. Eat these things!
//
15 Comments