California Roll Sushi Bowls

Let’s just admit it, how many of us are too lazy to make our own sushi at home? Good take-out just makes the choice to easy. Well, that was until today when I finally got around to making it in bowl form 4 years later. I had pinned a recipe from Whole Foods website years ago for sushi bowls because I loved the idea and just now after months of having the sushi rice and nori sitting in my pantry I’m finally getting to it – but seriously why did I wait this long?? These bowls are amazing!

How could you go wrong with deconstructed sushi piled high in a bowl (minus the raw fish in this version, so I guess many would say not real sushi but still sushi to me)? It’s destined to be a new go-to weeknight recipe for you! It’s so easy, just chop everything up and toss it together then serve it individual bowls. No meticulous cutting and rolling just slice it, dice it, dress it and boom! Dinner (or lunch) is served. You still get that perfectly sticky sushi rice (which really is so easy to make btw, no need to be intimated) along with all the typical ingredients you’d find in or on a California roll – avocados, cucumbers, crab meat (real or imitation either works), carrots, nori, (which is just that seaweed which sushi is wrapped in) and sesame seeds. And of course the only way I like to eat my California rolls is with that spicy, creamy Sriracha Mayo. If we are going to make it let’s make it right, don’t leave it off. I guess if you hate heat leave it off, if you love heat be fair with the sriracha a little extra never hurts.

As a side note, I think these would be so fun for a party to serve in mini bowls. Everyone would think you are genius. I think you could easily get 10 mini servings out of this, just be sure to set aside a few for yourself, they’ll go quick.

Save this recipe and try it out this week, you’ll be so glad you did! These simplified sushi bowls are seriously satisfying and will definitely leave you craving them again and again.

California Roll Sushi Bowls

Ingredients

2 cups dry California Calrose Sushi Rice

5 Tbsp rice vinegar , divided

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup light mayonnaise

1 1/2 Tbsp sriracha

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

10 oz imitation crab or lump crabmeat , torn or chopped into small bite size pieces

1 1/2 cups diced English cucumber

3/4 cup roughly chopped matchstick carrots

1 nori sheet , chopped or crumbled into small pieces (add more if you'd like)

1 1/2 Tbsp chopped pickled sushi ginger

1 large avocado , peeled and diced

Black and toasted sesame seeds , for garnish

Instructions

Place rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until water runs clear (it will take about 2 minutes of rinsing). Tap bottom of strainer with palm of your hand until water no longer falls from strainer (it should be well drained). Transfer rice to a medium saucepan along with 2 1/4 cups water. Bring mixture to a full boil then reduce heat to low, cover with lid and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat, keep covered and let rest 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan combine 4 Tbsp of the vinegar with the sugar and salt. Heat over medium heat, cook and whisk until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat, let cool while rice is resting then pour vinegar mixture over rice and toss to evenly coat.

In a small mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise with sriracha. Thin with 1 1/2 tsp of water if desired. Transfer to a sandwich size resealable bag. Set aside.

In a small mixing bowl whisk together soy sauce and remaining 1 Tbsp vinegar, set aside. In a large mixing bowl gently toss together crab meat, cucumber, carrots, nori, ginger and avocado. Divide prepared rice among 4 or 5 bowls. Top with crab mixture then spoon soy sauce mixture over top of each serving. Cut a small tip from one corner of the resealable bag holding the sriracha mixture, drizzle over each serving. Serve immediately.

Recipe source: cookingclassy.com