I must admit, I’ve been splurging excessively on sushi recently. However, I lack the expertise to create exquisitely rolled sushi at home. Therefore, when the craving strikes, I opt for a simple sushi bowl instead. It contains all the elements of a California roll, arranged in a bowl. They may not be extravagant, but they satisfy that sushi craving without emptying your wallet with a $30 bill.
What is in a Sushi Bowl?
I opted for simplicity in this sushi bowl to maintain an affordable price and ensure convenient preparation. However, the beauty of these bowls lies in their customizability! I included delicious elements like seasoned sushi rice, crisp vegetables (carrot and cucumber), nori (seaweed), and crab stick. Feel free to elevate these sushi bowls and add more extravagant ingredients based on your budget.
Incorporate these exciting additions into your sushi bowls for an extra dose of enjoyment:
For Best Results, use short grain rice
It is crucial to use short grain rice in order to achieve the authentic taste and texture of sushi. These small grains possess a high starch content and offer a distinct texture compared to long grain white rice. While pre-packaged “sushi rice” sold in regular grocery stores can be quite expensive, I recommend exploring bulk bins or visiting an Asian grocer as more affordable alternatives.
You can also consider using Calrose rice, a readily available medium grain starchy rice found in most U.S. grocery stores. Calrose, grown in California, remains a suitable choice for sushi bowls.
What is Imitation Crab?
In California rolls and various Americanized sushi, imitation crab is commonly used. This is actually a type of white fish that has been molded and seasoned to imitate the taste and texture of crab meat, but at a significantly lower cost. It is typically available in stick form, chunks, or flakes. Personally, I find it quite delicious and remarkably budget-friendly.
Seaweed options
By incorporating some nori, or dried seaweed, into this bowl, it greatly enhances the taste, making it reminiscent of authentic sushi. Fortunately, “nori snacks” have gained significant popularity in recent years. These smaller, single-serving packages of nori are a convenient alternative to the larger packs typically used for sushi rolling. I simply sliced a few small squares of nori snack for each bowl and voila! We’re all set.
How to Store Sushi Bowls
These sushi bowls are perfect for meal prep and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. To prevent the warm rice from wilting the vegetables, it is crucial to cool it down quickly after cooking. Simply season the rice, spread it out on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish, and refrigerate until cooled before packing the sushi bowls into meal prep containers.
How to Make Sushi Bowls – Step by Step Photos
In a medium sauce pot, put 2 cups of uncooked rice. Rinse the rice thoroughly and drain off any excess water. Add 2 cups of fresh water to the pot and cover it with a lid. Heat the water on high until it reaches a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the rice simmer for 15 minutes, ensuring it continues to simmer throughout. After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice rest for an additional five minutes with the lid on.
As the rice simmers, prepare the rice seasoning that imparts the distinctive sushi taste and shiny look. Blend 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of white sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. In case the sugar doesn’t dissolve completely, you can microwave the mixture for 15-30 seconds to facilitate its dissolution.
To incorporate the vinegar seasoning into the rice, sprinkle approximately 1/4 of it over the rice and gently fold it in. Continue this process until all the dressing is mixed in and the rice has a slight gloss. Remember to fold the rice gently instead of stirring vigorously to prevent it from turning mushy.
While the rice is being cooked, get ready the remaining toppings for the sushi bowl. Use a large-holed cheese grater to shred a carrot, chop a cucumber, slice an avocado, and chop or break up 8oz. of imitation crab into small pieces.
Imitation crab is essentially white fish that has been molded and seasoned to imitate the taste and appearance of crab. You can typically locate it in the seafood or frozen seafood section of your local grocery store. Nori snacks are commonly found in the International aisle of larger supermarkets. They typically cost around $2 per pack and come with multiple squares in each pack!
To enhance the sushi bowls, make a quick sriracha mayo by combining 4 tablespoons of mayo with 2 tablespoons of sriracha. Enjoy the deliciousness!
To assemble your sushi bowls, start by adding approximately 1 cup of the seasoned sushi rice. Then, layer it with portions of imitation crab, sliced avocado, shredded carrot, sliced cucumbers, a few pieces of nori, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a delightful drizzle of sriracha mayo.
Seriously, SO GOOD.
Additional perk: Sushi bowls pose a slight challenge when using chopsticks compared to rolled sushi, which prevents you from devouring them hastily. Allow yourself the opportunity to appreciate the flavors and relish the experience. 😉
