Essex Street Market shopper Brandon often find himself making sushi for Thanksgiving. Why sushi you ask? The former English teacher of Brandon’s wife hosts an International Potluck Thanksgiving every year. Each attendee must bring a dish from their native country; Brandon’s wife is Japanese.
Serves 8 | Cook Time 20 minutes
Ingredients
½ Lemon, Thinly Sliced
4 Sheets of Roasted Nori (dried seaweed), Halved
4 Cups of Prepared Sushi Rice
¼ Cup of Wasabi Paste
½ pound of Yellowfin or Ahi Auna, Cut into Strips
½ Cup of Sliced Pickled Ginger
1 Daikon Radish, Peeled and Julienned
2 Medium Carrots, Peeled and Julienned
Soy Sauce for Dipping
*Bamboo Sushi Mat
Instructions
1. Fill large bowl with ice water and lemon slices.
2. Place sushi mat on cutting board with slats running crosswise. Arrange 1 sheet nori, shiny side down, on mat, lining up long edge of sheet with edge of mat nearest you. Lightly moisten hands with lemon water, then gently spread about 3/4 cup rice onto nori in even layer, leaving ½ - inch border on long end opposite you.
3. Brush ½ teaspoon wasabi paste in thin horizontal line across rice about 1 inch from side nearest you. Arrange about 1/8 of tuna strips in horizontal line atop wasabi line, cutting tuna as necessary to fit from side to side.
4. Beginning with edge nearest you, lift mat up with thumbs, holding filling in place with fingers, and fold mat over filling so that upper and lower edges of rice meet. Squeeze gently but firmly along length of roll and tug top edge of mat away from you to tighten. (Nori border will still be visible below top edge of mat.) Open mat and roll log forward 1/4 turn, then fold mat over again and squeeze gently but firmly to seal nori border. Repeat to form remaining rolls.
5. Transfer 1 roll, seam side down, to cutting board. Dip sharp knife into lemon water, shaking off excess. Slice roll in half, then cut each half into 3 pieces. Slice remaining rolls in same manner. Serve immediately with remaining wasabi paste, ginger, daikon, carrots, and soy sauce.
Notes:
Cook time may only be 20 minutes, but prep may take all night! if you are in a rush, just pick up a tray from Whole Foods!
