Ingredients:
For the Sushi Rice:
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 2 1/4 cups water
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Sushi Rolls:
- Nori (seaweed) sheets
- Fresh sushi-grade fish (such as tuna, salmon, or yellowtail), or cooked seafood (like shrimp or crab)
- Fresh vegetables (e.g., cucumber, avocado, carrot)
- Soy sauce, for dipping
- Pickled ginger, for serving
- Wasabi, for serving
Equipment:
- Bamboo sushi rolling mat (makisu)
- Plastic wrap
- Sharp knife
- Bowl of water for dipping your fingers
Instructions:
For the Sushi Rice:
- Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain the rice thoroughly.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and 2 1/4 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed.
- In a small saucepan, heat the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until the sugar and salt dissolve. Allow it to cool.
- Transfer the cooked rice to a large, non-metallic bowl and spread it out. Drizzle the vinegar mixture over the rice and use a wooden or plastic spatula to fold the vinegar mixture into the rice. Be gentle to avoid mashing the rice. Let it cool to room temperature.
For the Sushi Rolls:
- Place your bamboo sushi rolling mat on a clean surface and cover it with plastic wrap. Lay a sheet of nori, shiny side down, on the plastic wrap.
- Wet your fingers to prevent the rice from sticking, and then take a handful of sushi rice (about a handful for one roll) and spread it evenly over the nori, leaving about 1/2 inch of nori at the top uncovered.
- Arrange your choice of fillings (fish, vegetables, etc.) in a line along the center of the rice.
- Using the bamboo mat to help, start rolling the nori and rice over the fillings, applying gentle pressure to make a tight roll. Wet the top edge of the nori to seal the roll.
- Use a sharp, wet knife to slice the roll into bite-sized pieces.
- Serve your sushi rolls with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi.
- Repeat the process for as many rolls as you want, using different fillings to create a variety of sushi rolls.
Enjoy your homemade sushi rolls! Be creative with your fillings and have fun experimenting with different ingredients to make the perfect roll for your taste.