The California roll is also called the California maki. It is a makizushi sushi roll which means it is made using a bamboo mat; the ingredients are rolled into a cylindrical piece. Typically, makizushi style sushi wraps the sushi in nori (seaweed); but it is also wrapped in omelet, cucumber, soy paper, or shisho leaves. California rolls feature cucumber, imitation crab meat, or crab meat. It is one of the most popular sushi rolls found in the United States and has recently achieved global popularity.
Health Benefits
Sushi is an iconic element of the traditional Japanese diet which is typically praised for its health profile. This is largely in part due to fish and seafood being a staple of the diet. Fish is a great source of high-quality protein that is lean and low in fat. It is low in cholesterol and saturated fats and is high in omega-3 fatty acids. This wonderful combo works to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and decrease heart disease.
Ingredients
4 cups water
2 cups uncooked white rice
1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp white sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 lb cooked crab meat shredded and drained of excess liquid
1 tbsp mayonnaise
5 sheets nori
1 avocado sliced
1/4 cup red caviar
1 english cucumber seeded and sliced into strips
2 tbsp pickled ginger drained
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp wasabi paste
How To Make California Roll
- Completely wrap a sushi rolling mat in plastic wrap then set it aside.
- Boil water in rice in a saucepan at a high temperature.
- Reduce the temperature to medium-low.
- Cover and let simmer until the rice becomes tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Transfer the rice to a bowl.
- Cut in rice vinegar using a wooden spoon.
- Season with 1 tsp sugar and 1 tsp salt.
- Let cool to room temperature.
- Mix the mayonnaise and crab meat together in a small bowl.
- Place a sheet of nori on a flat work surface.
- Spread a thin layer of rice on top of the nori.
- Place the nori on the prepared rolling mat, rice side down.
- Layer 2-3 avocado slices on top of the nori.
- Layer on 2-3 tbsp of the crab mixture.
- Spoon 1-2 tsp tobiko on one side of the avocado-crab mixture lengthwise, and 2 cucumber strips on the other side.
- Roll the California roll into a tight log carefully by using the mat as a guide.
- Remove the rolling mat.
- Top roll with more tobiko, cover with plastic wrap, and gently press the tobiko into the top of the roll.
- Remove the plastic.
- Cut roll into 6 even pieces using a wet knife.
- Repeat with remaining nori sheets and filling.
- Serve garnished with pickled ginger, wasabi paste, and soy sauce.
Trivia
Sushi restaurants typically greet customers with "Irashaimase"