Spanish Inspired Shrimp Onigiri
Instructions
These Japanese Onigiri sushi rice morsels are seasoned with delicious Spanish flavors for a unique and tasty appetizer that will quickly become your new obsession! Be sure to use Carolina® Short Grain Rice as it is specially crafted for making compact sushi rice dishes.
Step 1
Cook rice according to package directions, adding smoked paprika and saffron. Fluff rice with fork; add rice vinegar, salt and sugar. Let cool completely.Step 2
In a shallow dish, combine sesame seeds and chives; set aside.Step 3
Using wet hands, divide rice into 12 portions and roll into balls. Flatten each rice ball; place 1 shrimp in center. Fold rice over shrimp to enclose; reshape into balls.Step 4
Roll each ball in sesame seed mixture and wrap with strip of nori. Serve with soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi.Tips
If desired, swap out the shrimp for crab meat or omit the seafood for a vegetarian version of these onigiri.
Homemade Onigiri
Even if you’re a regular at your local sushi restaurant, you may be asking yourself, what is onigiri exactly? Onigiri are Japanese rice balls that can be formed in a cylinder or triangle and have a filling which may include shrimp, salmon or another seafood. They are often individually fully wrapped or only slightly wrapped in the nori sheet, unlike a traditional sushi roll.
The trick is to use wet hands when rolling the rice and fully cover the shrimp or leave part uncovered if desired.
Although onigiri may not technically be part of the sushi family, this recipe uses Carolina® short grain rice which is specially crafted for preparing sushi rice and is combined with the essential flavors of rice vinegar, sugar and salt.
When to make Onigiri?
These rice rolls are perfect to accompany your meal or serve as a flavorful appetizer at your next get together with family or friends.
Now that you have the perfect rice, vinegar and nori ready, why not pair them alongside some sushi from authentic grains or Pressed Sushi topped with salmon. Need a little bit of help making your own sushi? Follow our step by step guide to making and rolling sushi from scratch!
