Temari sushi
Bite-sized sushi balls
Bite-sized sushi balls topped with egg, cucumber, ham and smoked salmon
Temari sushi are named after the embroidered silk balls Japanese children play with, and families shape them for birthday parties, Girls' Day and New Year: little rounds of seasoned rice pressed under a slice of topping in cling film. They are small enough for one bite and easy for children to help make. This version keeps to toppings that are safe for children, with thin omelette, cucumber, ham and smoked salmon; raw fish is for adults only and is not for young children or anyone pregnant. For a vegetarian plate, use egg, cucumber and simmered shiitake. Chef's tip: wet your hands and the cling film with vinegared water and the rice won't stick.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the sushi rice
- 10 ½ oz Japanese short-grain rice
- 1 ½ cups water
- 3 ½ tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tbsp caster sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
For the toppings
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- ½ cucumber
- 4 slices thin-sliced cooked hamgluten-free if needed
- 3 ½ oz smoked salmon
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Rinse 10 ½ oz Japanese short-grain rice until the water runs nearly clear, then cook it with 1 ½ cups water in a rice cooker or covered pan (boil, lowest heat for 13 minutes, rest 10 minutes).
25 minStep 2: Dissolve 1 ½ tbsp caster sugar and ¾ tsp salt in 3 ½ tbsp rice vinegar, pour over the hot rice in a wide bowl and fold through gently while fanning, until glossy and cooled to body temperature.
Step 3: Beat 2 eggs and cook two very thin omelettes in a lightly oiled pan (1 tsp vegetable oil) over a low heat, about 1 minute each, until fully set. Cool, then cut into 5 cm squares or rounds.
4 minStep 4: Slice ½ cucumber lengthwise into thin ribbons with a peeler. Cut 4 slices thin-sliced cooked ham and 3 ½ oz smoked salmon into pieces about 5 cm across.
Step 5: Lay a 15 cm square of cling film on the board and place one topping in the centre, best side down. Put a heaped tablespoon of rice (about 25 g) on top, gather the film and twist it tight to press a neat ball. The usual mistake is too much rice, which makes the balls loose and too big for a child's mouth.
Step 6: Unwrap each ball onto a platter, topping side up, and finish a few with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. You should get about 24 balls.
Step 7: Serve within 2 hours and keep them cool on a party table. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge until the next day.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 400 kcal
- Protein
- 16 g
- Carbs
- 66 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does temari sushi take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of japanese short-grain rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of rice vinegar?
- Cider vinegar with a pinch of sugar, same amount.
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