California Roll
The California roll stands as one of the most iconic sushi dishes in the United States, offering a Western twist on the traditional Japanese maki roll. With its core ingredients of crab—often imitation—avocado, and cucumber, this inside-out roll with rice on the outside caters to those who might be less inclined toward raw fish, introducing them gently to the world of sushi.
Equipment
- Rolling Equipment:
- Bamboo sushi rolling mat or makisu
- Parchment paper or plastic wrap
- Mixing Tools:
- Mixing bowl
- Paddle or spoon for rice
- Cutting Instruments:
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 3 cups Rice
Vinegar Mixture:
- 1/2 cup of rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Filling:
- 1 cup of imitation crab shredded
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 cucumber julienned
- Tobiko or fish roe optional
- Wrapping and Topping:
- 6 sheets of nori seaweed halved
- White sesame seeds or black sesame seeds optional
- Soy sauce for serving
- Pickled ginger for serving
- Wasabi for serving
Instructions
- Begin by washing the sushi rice in a sieve under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Cook the rice with the water in a rice cooker or pot, following the manufacturer's instructions or typical rice cooking methods.
- Once cooked, transfer the rice to a large bowl. Gently fold in the seasoned rice vinegar, sugar, and salt with a paddle or spoon while the rice is still warm.
- Lay a sheet of nori on a bamboo sushi mat. With dampened hands, press an even layer of sushi rice onto the nori, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- In a small bowl, mix the crab meat with mayonnaise. Spread this mixture across the center of the rice.
- Add a row of avocado slices on top of the crab mixture. If desired, squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the avocado to enhance the taste.
- Carefully start rolling the mat from the edge nearest to you, keeping the fillings in place with your fingers, and roll tightly.
- Wet the top edge of the nori with a little water to seal the roll.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the roll into six or eight pieces, wiping the knife with a damp cloth between cuts to clean the blade.
- Serve the California roll with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi. Enjoy your homemade sushi!
Notes
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 349 per serving (8 pieces or 211g)
- Total Fat: 19g (24% DV*)
- Saturated Fat: 2.8g (14% DV)
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 8.3g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 6.8g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: About 17mg (6% DV)
- Sodium: 537mg per serving (23% DV)
- Carbohydrates: 38g per roll (14% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 3.2g (11% DV)
- Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 7.8g per serving
