Nori Rolls Recipes

NORI ROLLS

Steps:

• In a deep, wide dish or pie plate, combine the soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger. Add the tofu and let it marinate for at least an hour, turning it over half way through.
• Cook the rice according to the package. In a large glass or ceramic bowl, combine the rice vinegar and sugar. Add the hot rice in fourths, stirring the mixture well after each addition. Stir in the scallions and sesame seeds, mix well.
• For each roll, place a sheet of nori on a piece of wax paper so that the bottom edge of the nori lies along the bottom edge of the paper. Moisten your hands with cold water and place a handful of rice in the center of the nori, spread it out in a thin layer to fill the sheet evenly. Add more rice if necessary. Place 2 strips of tofu across the center of the nori, so they run the entire width of the sheet. Place a portion of the carrots on top of the tofu, some spinach over that, finishing with some sprouts (use about a fifth of each filling ingredient). Start rolling the nori from the bottom by gripping the nori and the wax paper, and using the paper to help you make a tight roll.
• Let the nori rest, seam side down, while you repeat the remaining procedure with the remaining rice and nori. You should have 5 rolls. To serve, wet the blade of a serrated knife and cut rolls into rounds about an inch thick. Serve at room temperature.

SHIITAKE NORI ROLLS

Steps:

• Cover mushrooms with 1 1/2 cups hot water in a medium bowl. Set a small bowl on top of mushrooms to keep them submerged. Let stand until mushrooms are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove mushrooms with a slotted spoon, and transfer to a work surface. Cut mushrooms crosswise into 1/4-inch strips; set aside. Strain soaking liquid; set aside.
• Make the dipping sauce: Stir together 1/3 cup soaking liquid, the lime juice, 1 teaspoon tamari, 1 teaspoon cilantro, and the salt in a small bowl; top with some julienned scallions. Set aside.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add noodles; cook according to package instructions. Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. Transfer to a medium bowl; toss with sesame oil and remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro. Set aside.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Stir in shallots, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots begin to brown, about 2 minutes (if the shallots begin to stick, stir in 1 tablespoon reserved soaking liquid). Add cabbage, and toss to combine. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage wilts slightly, 2 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, 1/4 cup reserved soaking liquid, and remaining 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons tamari. Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in sliced scallions; set aside.
• Toast the nori sheets: Using tongs, pass each sheet just over a medium gas flame, turning, until fragrant and crisp, about 3 passes on each side. (If only an electric burner is available, heat to medium; toast sheet directly on the burner, flipping for 30 seconds to 1 minute.)
• Working with 1 toasted sheet at a time, put 1/6 of the noodles along 1 edge of the nori, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with 1/6 of the cabbage mixture. Starting at the side with the filling, roll up sheet, enclosing filling. Repeat process with remaining sheets, noodles, and cabbage mixture. Cut each roll on the diagonal into 2 pieces. Serve with dipping sauce.

VEGETARIAN NORI ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan cover rice with water and let stand for 30 minutes.
• In a shallow dish combine soy sauce, honey and garlic. In this mixture marinate tofu for at least 30 minutes.
• Bring water and rice to a boil and then reduce heat; simmer for about 20 minutes, or until thick and sticky. In a large glass bowl combine cooked rice with rice vinegar.
• Place a sheet of nori on a bamboo mat. Working with wet hands, spread 1/4 of the rice evenly over the nori; leave about 1/2 inch on the top edge of the nori. Place 2 strips of marinated tofu end to end about 1 inch from the bottom. Place 2 strips of cucumber next to the tofu, then avocado and carrot.
• Roll nori tightly from the bottom, using the mat to help make a tight roll. Seal by moistening with water the 1/2 inch at the top. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Slice with a serrated knife into 1 inch thick slices.

SUPER SUSHI NORI ROLLS

Steps:

• Empty rice into a bowl and run water through it until the water runs clear off the rice.
• Then cover rice in water and boil, adding water continuously until it's all absorbed and you have a sticky rice.
• If you have a bit too much water at the end, when the rice is cooked, just set it in a strainer for a few minutes to drain.
• Now, leave the rice for up to an hour beforehand so it can cool properly.
• You can speed this up a bit by putting it in the fridge to cool.
• When the rice is cool, lay out a tea towel and a nori sheet on top.
• Spread rice thinly over the sheet (a knife dipped in hot water makes this easier), leaving about an inch clear at the bottom and a slightly smaller border around the rest.
• The trick is to not use too much rice, leaving room for it to expand when rolled.
• Choose your fillings (one or two for each roll) and lay out in a thin line across the sheet, about 1/3 of the way from the top.
• Then start rolling from the top.
• The tea towel will help you get it started.
• When it is rolled (the bottom inch of the nori will stick to itself, holding the roll together) take a sharp knife and slice 1 inch rounds.
• Dip in soy sauce and wasabi, topped with ginger slices and enjoy!