Jonosan’s sushi party

Jonosan’s sushi party
serves 2

One of my favourite strategies for stress-free entertaining is to get my guests to do as much work as possible. Not only does this make things more interactive and fun, I find everyone appreciates their food more when they have contributed. Please just use this as a guide and substitute in your favourite sushi fillings.

for the sushi:
200g / 7oz (1cup) sushi rice
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 avocado
100g (3oz) smoked salmon
3-4 large nori sheets

for the salad:
3 handfuls baby spinach
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

to serve:
wasabi
soy sauce
pickled ginger

1. rice: Bring a medium saucepan of water to the boil. Add rice and simmer for 11 minutes.

2. dressing: combine vinegar and sugar with 1/4 teaspoon fine salt. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

3. to serve: Prepare salmon and avocado and place on a large platter or wooden board along with the wasabi, soy and ginger. Chop the nori sheets into quarters and place on the platter.

4. rice: When the rice has cooked, drain very thoroughly in a strainer then transfer to a baking sheet and spread out to cool the rice as quickly as possible.

5. salad: While the rice is cooling, wilt the spinach in the saucepan used or the rice. IT will take only a minute or so on a high heat. Remove from the heat, cool under running water and squeeze dry. Place spinach in a small bowl and top with sesame seeds

6. to serve: Transfer cooled rice to a serving bowl and take everything to the table.

7. Get your guests to make their own sushi by placing a little rice in the centre of a nori sheet top with avocado, salmon, spinach and a little wasabi. Roll into a cone shape and try to eat delicately. Repeat.

prepare ahead?

The rice could be cooked ahead and kept in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two before hand. Allow to warm up slightly before using.

leftover potential

Will keep in the fridge for a few days but the pastry will lose its crunch.

variations for fun

fish – feel free to experiment with proper sushi fish if you can access it. Make sure your fishmonger knows you will be eating it raw. Tuna and salmon are the two most popular. Prawns and squid can also be lovely.

vegan / vegetarian – try cucumber rolls and of course have extra avocado on hand.

can’t find sushi rice? – substitute in white short grain rice.

slow-carb – serve with raw grated cauliflower sprinkled with a little of the vinegar dressing instead of the sushi rice OR serve sashimi with nori on the side.

sushi bowls / can’t find nori? – if the idea of ‘roll your own’ is a bit daunting, serve rice in bowls and top with the fillings. Serve soy and wasabi on the side.

problem solving guide

rice chalky – this means the rice has been undercooked. Next time simmer for a litle longer before draining and cooling.

rice sticking together – it’s supposed to for sushi – don’t worry about it. 🙂

can’t find sushi rice? – just use other short grain white rice like calrose.

can’t find rice vinegar – sherry or white wine vinegar will work.

too sweet – the sushi dressing does add quite a bit of sweetness to the rice – balance this out with more soy sauce but next time use less sugar in your dressing.

serving suggestions

Best in the middle for everyone to help themselves.

_________________________
back to: 15 Minute Meals Overview