California Sushi Rolls

prep time:: 45 min - 1 hour
total time:: 1 hr

Makes 12 sushi rolls

Debbie Lewin

I know how much you both love Sushi ... so I threw this in! - love mom

ingredients

2 sheets nori (seaweed) each about 8 inches square
1 recipe Sushi Rice Filling
Desired fillings (such as small carrot, zucchini, or cucumber sticks; avocado slices; flake-style imitation crab meat; smoked salmon (lox-style); and/or small peeled, deveined, and cooked shrimp)
1 recipe Honey Ginger Sauce

directions

1
Lay seaweed on a sushi mat lined with plastic wrap; with damp fingers, spread 1 cup of the sushi rice over each sheet to within 1 inch of the edge at one end. Arrange desired vegetable or seafood fillings just below center.
2
Roll seaweed toward the 1-inch unfilled edge. (to shape a tight even roll, place your hands under the edge of the mat closest to you. While carefully lifting the edge of the nori, roll the rice-topped seaweed away from you) Press unfilled edge over top, brushing with water to seal, if necessary.
3
Cut each roll into 6 pieces; arrange on platter. If desired, cover and chill for up to 4 hours. Serve with Honey-Ginger Sauce

Sushi Rice Filling

In a fine-mesh sieve wash 1/2 cup short grain rice under cold running water, rubbing grains together with your fingers. In a small saucepan combine rinsed rice, 1 cup cold water, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes (rice should be sticky). Remove from heat; stir in 1/4 cup finely shredded carrot, 1 Tbs sugar, and if desired, 1 Tbs sake or dry sherry. Cover and cool about 45 minutes or until room temperature. (rice can be prepared ahead; cover and chill for up to 3 days) Makes about 2 cups.

Honey-Ginger Sauce

In a small saucepan combine 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup water, 2 Tbs plum sauce, 2 Tbs soy sauce, and one 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced. Bring to boiling, stirring frequently; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered for 15 - 20 minutes or until slightly thickened. Strain into a small bowl; cool. Cover and chill. Makes a scant 3/4 cup.