Sushi Rice Hand Rolls (Print Version)

Delicate sushi rice with creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and sweet crab wrapped in nori sheets for a fresh, satisfying hand-held treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sushi Rice

01 - 1 cup sushi rice (short-grain Japanese rice)
02 - 1 1/4 cups water
03 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
04 - 1 tbsp sugar
05 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Fillings

06 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
07 - 1/2 English cucumber, julienned
08 - 4 oz cooked crab meat (real or imitation), shredded
09 - 1 tbsp mayonnaise (optional, for mixing with crab)
10 - 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)

→ Wrapping

11 - 4 sheets nori (roasted seaweed), halved

→ Accompaniments

12 - Soy sauce, for serving
13 - Pickled ginger, for serving
14 - Wasabi, for serving

# How To:

01 - Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
02 - Combine rice and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
03 - In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Gently fold this mixture into the cooked rice. Cool rice to room temperature.
04 - If desired, mix crab meat with mayonnaise for extra creaminess.
05 - Place a half-sheet of nori, shiny side down, on your palm or a bamboo mat. Spread a thin layer (about 2–3 tbsp) of sushi rice diagonally across one corner.
06 - Layer avocado, cucumber, and crab on top of the rice. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
07 - Roll the nori into a cone shape, starting from the rice-filled corner and rolling tightly. Seal the edge with a few grains of rice.
08 - Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 8 hand rolls.
09 - Serve immediately with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get to eat them immediately, warm rice against cool creamy avocado, no waiting required.
  • Everyone can build their own at the table, which turns dinner into an interactive, laughing kind of event.
  • The cone shape is forgiving and even a wobbly roll tastes incredible.
  • They feel fancy but come together faster than ordering takeout.
02 -
  • If your rice is too hot when you season it, the vinegar will evaporate and you'll lose that tangy flavor.
  • Wet your hands lightly before handling rice so it doesn't stick to your fingers and turn into a frustrating mess.
  • Don't overfill the cone or it will split open, less is more when it comes to rolling.
  • Nori softens quickly once it touches moist rice, so assemble and eat without delay.
03 -
  • Keep a small bowl of water nearby to wet your fingers, it prevents rice from sticking and makes rolling smoother.
  • If your nori isn't crisp, toast it briefly over a low flame or in a dry skillet to bring back the snap.
  • Cut your avocado and cucumber just before assembling so they stay vibrant and don't oxidize or weep moisture.
  • For a spicy version, mix a little Sriracha or chili oil into the mayonnaise before folding it with the crab.
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