Japanese Rice Ball Recipe: Easy And Delicious

August 14, 2023 Post a Comment

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Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri) Chopstick Chronicles from www.chopstickchronicles.com

Description

Japanese rice balls, or onigiri, are a popular snack and lunch item in Japan. They are made by shaping cooked rice into small triangles, balls, or other shapes, and filling them with various ingredients like tuna, umeboshi (pickled plum), or salmon. Onigiri can be found in convenience stores, supermarkets, and even vending machines in Japan. They are also a popular homemade dish, as they are easy to make and can be customized to suit individual tastes.

Prep Time

Preparation time for this recipe is about 30 minutes. This includes cooking the rice, preparing the fillings, and shaping the rice balls.

Cook Time

Cooking time for the rice is about 20 minutes, depending on the type of rice and the cooking method used.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need:

2 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice
1 can of tuna, drained
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon mirin (optional)
Nori (dried seaweed) sheets
Salt, to taste

Equipment

For this recipe, you will need:

A rice cooker or pot
A mixing bowl
A spoon or spatula
A sharp knife
A cutting board

Method

1. Cook the rice according to the package instructions, or using a rice cooker. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, soy sauce, and mirin (if using). Mix well. 3. Add salt to taste. 4. Cut the nori sheets into small rectangles, about 2 inches by 1 inch. 5. Wet your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking. 6. Take a handful of rice and shape it into a triangle or ball. 7. Make a small indentation in the center of the rice ball with your thumb. 8. Spoon a small amount of the tuna filling into the indentation. 9. Cover the filling with a small amount of rice. 10. Wrap a piece of nori around the rice ball, shiny side facing out. 11. Repeat with the remaining rice and filling. 12. Serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for later.

Notes

You can use any type of filling you like for these rice balls. Some popular options include umeboshi, salmon, pickled vegetables, or even cooked chicken or beef. To make the rice balls more flavorful, you can mix in some furikake (a Japanese seasoning made from dried fish, sesame seeds, and other ingredients) or soy sauce. If you don't have nori sheets, you can skip this step or substitute with another type of edible wrapper, like lettuce leaves or soy paper.

Nutrition Info

This recipe makes about 8 rice balls. Each rice ball contains approximately:

Calories: 150
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fat: 3g
Fiber: 1g

Recipe Tips

To make the rice balls easier to handle, it's important to keep your hands wet. You can also sprinkle some salt on your hands to add flavor to the rice. If you're making a large batch of rice balls, you can use a plastic wrap to shape them into perfect triangles or balls. If you're packing the rice balls for lunch, make sure to store them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out. You can also pack some soy sauce or wasabi on the side for dipping. With this easy and delicious Japanese rice ball recipe, you can enjoy a taste of Japan in the comfort of your own home.