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Saint Valentine Sushi and onigiri, and a Japanese Giveaway



Heart Sushi for Saint Valentine




I find cooking rice for sushi challenging: you need to buy proper sushi rice and then wash it several times in cold water, until the water runs clear. And then cook it by absorption. The doses are about 1 and 3/4 (three quarters) cups of sushi rice for 2 cups of water, but that depends on the type of pot. You need a pot with a good lid, or you will loose too much steam. I kind of regulate myself by ear now, since I know my pots and pans. Bring the pot to boiling point, lower the heat and simmer until all the water has been absorbed. Once the rice is ready pour it into a bowl and stir it with a wooden spatula, cooling it with a fan if you can. I then add some ready made sushi vinegar, about 2 tablespoons, but this is my personal taste. If I don't have sushi vinegar use 2 tbsp of rice vinegar, a little sugar and a little salt (to taste, and I don't like to use too much sugar or salt myself!).





To fill this sushi (which is Vegan) I used a combinations of thin carrot sticks and takuan(Japanese pickled daikon) sticks, but you can use what you like!
Place a sheet of nori seaweed on a sushi mat, add the rice and the filling, roll and, once you have your sushi roll, pinch the edges to shape it like an heart (this takes time!!!). The most difficult part is to cut the sushi, as you may loose the heart shape, so gently re-touch your sushi pieces with your fingers.



Heart Onigiri for Saint Valentine





Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

If you don't have sushi rice, nori seaweed or sushi vinegar, or a sushi mat to roll your sushi, you can still try this method:
Cook some short grain (not long grain, basmati or Thai) rice by absorption and then start working it when it is still warm. Wet your hands with water, and rub them with just a little salt, then press some rice into a heart shaped cookie cutter. Add something colourful in the centre, I added a umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum), and then gently press the heart out of the mould into a serving plate.

This version is very easy and effective!



This is my February Giveaway!


To enter please click here, and follow the instructions. You must be a follower of my other Blog (Alessandra Zecchini), to be eligible.


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Comments

  1. pommes cannellesFebruary 13, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    so beautiful your sushi !
    Good st Valentin

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Bellissimo, Ale! Brava! Ti auguro buona domenica e un felice San Valentino!
    A presto!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gloria BakerFebruary 14, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    I love your sushi hearts and love your giveaway!! xgloria

    ReplyDelete
  4. FrancescaFebruary 14, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    Ciao Alessandra, grazie della visita e delle parole di conforto! Il sushi è una di quelle preparazioni che mi ha sempre affascinato, ma non ho mai provato a prepararlo anche perchè non so se il glutine si cela da qualche parte (in qualche salsina sicuramente...), ma mi voglio informare. Il tuo è bellissimo, fatto a cuoricino poi. Un abbraccio, buona domenica.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownFebruary 15, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    Amo il sushi...ma non l'ho mai cucinato ...lo trovo troppo difficile per me, che non riesco mai a seguire alla lettera le istruzioni...so solo improvvisare.
    Baci

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lidia February 15, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    Ma dai i cuoricini di sushi, che carini!!!! E' un piacere conoscerti, a presto!

    ReplyDelete
  7. simonaFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Ciao Alessandra, mi piace moltissimo la cucina giapponese e questo sushi ti è venuto una meraviglia, molto originale e dolce :D
    Bravissima!
    Un bacio e a presto

    ReplyDelete
  8. AdelinaFebruary 15, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Lovely Japanese bites- Happy St Valentine's to you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SerenaFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Il giorno che troverò il coraggio di preparare il sushi (o di dedicarmi alla cucina giapponese in generale) sicuramente passerò di qui: hai spiegato le varie fasi molto bene, grazie!

    ReplyDelete
  10. MMMFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    GNAMM! deliziosi!
    buon inizio settimana cara,
    baci
    MMM
    www.modemuffins.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. FabianaFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    che spettacolo il sushi roamntico di san valentino!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. francescaFebruary 19, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Ciao Alessandra, quando hai un attimo passa da me. Un abbraccio.

    ReplyDelete
  13. francescaFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Ciao Alessandra, per rispondere alla tua domanda è lo stesso, come preferisci. Buon fine settimana.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Babette:February 20, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    ma che belli i cuoricini di sushi ...mi sono innamorata del tuo blog, ti seguo anch io ! baci

    ReplyDelete

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