Classic Japanese Sushi Rice Recipes

CLASSIC JAPANESE SUSHI RICE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Put the rice in a large bowl and rinse it by covering it with cold running water and gently mixing it around using your hand. Carefully pour out the water and repeat rinsing until the water becomes almost clear.
• Drain the rice in a colander and set aside for 30 minutes.
• Place the rice in a rice cooker and add the water. Let the rice soak in the water for at least 30 minutes.
• Start the cooker and set it according to your cooker's instructions. When the rice is cooked, let it steam for about 15 minutes.
• Prepare the sushi vinegar by mixing the rice vinegar, sake-mash vinegar (if using), sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Put the pan over low heat and cook until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
• Spread the hot steamed rice onto a large plate or in a large bowl.
• Sprinkle the vinegar mixture over the rice and quickly fold the rice with a shamoji (rice spatula) or wooden spatula. Be careful not to smash the rice.
• To cool and remove the moisture of the rice, waft a handheld paper fan over the sushi rice as you mix it. This will give the sushi rice a shiny look.
• It's best to use the sushi rice right away to make rolls with your favorite fillings.

CHEF JOHN'S EASY SUSHI RICE

Steps:

• Place rice in a strainer and rinse under cold water until run-off turns from cloudy to completely clear, about 2 minutes. Place strainer over a bowl and let drain until almost dry, about 1 hour. Transfer to a heavy bottom saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
• Pour water over rice. Place pot over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer without stirring. As soon as little bubbles appear on the surface and rice starts to simmer, reduce heat to low and cover pan. Cook for exactly 10 minutes. Remove from heat; lift lid for 1 second and cover again immediately. Let sit another 10 minutes.
• Transfer rice to a rimmed sheet pan and spread out with a fork, fanning (with a magazine or similar object) to start to cool it. Sprinkle about half the rice vinegar on the rice while gently tossing it. Continue fanning to bring rice to just over room temperature. Sprinkle the rest of rice vinegar over the rice and toss with fork to blend evenly. A small amount of rice should be easily formed into an oblong sushi base, but easily crumble when cut with a fork.

PERFECT SUSHI RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a strainer or colander until the water runs clear. Combine with water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Rice should be tender and water should be absorbed. Cool until cool enough to handle.
• In a small saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, oil, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Cool, then stir into the cooked rice. When you pour this in to the rice it will seem very wet. Keep stirring and the rice will dry as it cools.