How To Make Onigiri Food

HOW TO MAKE ONIGIRI

Steps:

• Wash 2 cups (400 g) of sushi rice in a large bowl. Pour the rice into a mixing bowl and set it in the sink under lukewarm water. Gently swirl the rice around the bowl a few times to eliminate the dirt. Carefully pour out the water when you're done. The kind of rice you need is short-grain Japanese sushi rice. It may be sold as "sushi rice" or under a similar label. Some Italian medium-grain rices like arborio can be used as a substitute. If you have a strainer, you can use it to wash the rice. Put the rice in and stir it while the water flows over it.
• Soak the rice under water for 30 minutes, then drain it and let it rest. Submerge the rice in lukewarm water again. After it is done soaking, use a strainer to drain the rice. Then, set the rice aside for about 15 minutes to dry out any remaining moisture. Washing and drying the rice not only cleans it but improves its flavor. It won't make the rice less sticky.
• Combine rice and water in a covered cooking pot. Pour the soaked rice into the pot, then add 2.5 cups (590 mL) of lukewarm water. Make sure all of the rice is submerged in the water, and remember to cover the pot when you're done. Add a proportionate amount of water for larger batches of rice. You can always use a rice cooker to prepare perfect sushi rice.
• Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat, then simmer it for 15 minutes. When the water begins bubbling rapidly, turn the heat down a low setting. The rice will absorb the water in the pot as it cooks. When it is done, it will look white and tender. If you still see a little bit of water in the pot, cook the rice for another minute.
• Steam the rice for 10 minutes, then fluff it with a fork. Move the pot off the heat and remove the lid. After the rice finishes cooking, stir it in the pot to fluff it. You can also use a rice scoop or spatula to do this. Wait for the rice to cool enough so you are able to touch it without burning your hands. Avoid letting the rice cool completely. It needs to be warm in order to stick together.

HOW TO MAKE ONIGIRI (JAPANESE RICE BALLS) | ULTIMATE GUIDE

Steps:

• First rinse 3 cups of short grain rice and then add it into the rice cooker. Fill with water until the 3 mark line* and allow the rice to cook. In the meantime, cut up some nori sheets (refer to information and photos above).
• Once the rice is finished cooking, let it rest for 5-10 minutes in the rice cooker. In the meantime, set up your work station. You should have a small bowl of salt, water, furikake and your fillings ready to be used. As well, keep a tray or container close by to place your finished rice balls on.
• Open the rice cooker than gently mix the rice and cover with a damp cloth. Bring it over to your work station.
• Filled Onigiri: Place some rice into a medium size bowl and sprinkle some salt over. Mix with the rice paddle. Place a small scoop of rice (just enough to fill the bottom part of the mold) and gently press it in. Make a small indent in the middle and place 1 umeboshi (or 1/2-1 tbsp of some kind of filling) in the indent. Cover with more rice until 3/4 of the way full and then place the lid on top. Gently press down until it's formed into a rice ball. Lightly wet your hands and dab your pointer finger and middle finger in the salt and rub between your hands. Place the rice ball between your hands and cup it (like if you were to hand-mold the onigiri). This just ensures the rice ball is salted throughout for preserving longer. Place onto a tray or container and cover with a damp cloth. Repeat until you make as many as you desire.
• Seasoned Onigiri: Place some rice into a medium size bowl and sprinkle some Furikake or Yukari Shiso in. Mix with the rice paddle. Place a scoop of rice until 3/4 of the way full and then place the lid on top. Gently press down until it's formed into a rice ball. Lightly wet your hands and dab your pointer finger in the salt and rub between your hands. Place the rice ball between your hands and cup it (like if you were to hand-mold the onigiri). Place onto a tray or container and cover with a damp cloth. Repeat until you make as many as you desire.
• Filled Onigiri: Place some rice into a medium size bowl and sprinkle some salt over. Mix with the rice paddle. Wet your hands and dab your pointer finger and middle finger in the salt, rub between your hands. Place a scoop of rice in the middle of your hand (around 1/3 - 1/2 cup) and gently press it in your palm. Make a small indent in the middle and add 1 pitted umeboshi or 1/2-1 tbsp of filling. With the hand holding the rice ball, curl your hand more and slowly cover the filling with rice from the side. Shape it into a ball or rounded triangle by gently pressing between your two hands. Place onto a tray or container and cover with a damp cloth. Repeat until you make as many as you desire.
• Seasoned Onigiri: Place some rice into a medium size bowl and sprinkle some Furikake or Yukari Shiso in. Mix with the rice paddle. Wet your hands and dab your pointer finger and middle finger in the salt, rub between your hands. Place a scoop of rice (around 1/3 - 1/2 cup) on to your hand and shape into a ball or rounded triangle. Place onto a tray or container and cover with a damp cloth. Repeat until you make as many as you desire.
• If eating immediately, wrap your rice balls with the roasted cut up nori sheets and serve.
• If eating later, wrap your onigiri with some cling wrap or place in a bento box. Place the nori in a separate container to keep them crisp. Wrap the rice balls before eating.

ONIGIRI - JAPANESE RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Wash the rice in a mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Combine washed rice and 4 1/2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer rice until the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Let rice rest, for 15 minutes to allow the rice to continue to steam and become tender. Allow cooked rice to cool.
• Combine 1 cup water with the salt in a small bowl. Use this water to dampen hands before handling the rice. Divide the cooked rice into 8 equal portions. Use one portion of rice for each onigiri.
• Divide one portion of rice in two. Create a dimple in the rice and fill with a heaping teaspoon of bonito flakes. Cover with the remaining portion of rice and press lightly to enclose filling inside rice ball. Gently press the rice to shape into a triangle. Wrap shaped onigiri with a strip of nori. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Repeat to make a total of 8 onigiri.