Temaki

Temaki are nori seaweed cones filled with sushi rice and various other ingredients. It is a typical dish of Japanese cuisine and is one of the most fun ways to enjoy sushi because it can be customized according to one’s own tastes. Here is a classic version of Temaki, with a little Italian twist you might appreciate.

Ingredients

• 150 g of sushi rice
• 180 ml of water
• 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 4 sheets of nori seaweed
• Fresh salmon (or prosciutto as an Italian alternative)
• Avocado
• Cucumber
• Mayonnaise (optional)
• Soy and wasabi for seasoning

Preparation

1. Start by washing the rice under running water until the water becomes clear. This removes excess starch.
2. Put the washed rice and water in a pot with a lid and bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the water has been absorbed. Then turn off the flame and let the rice rest for another 15 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, then add it all to the cooked rice and mix gently to season.
4. Cut the salmon (or prosciutto), avocado, and cucumber into thin strips.
5. Cut the nori sheets in half.
6. Place a sheet of nori on your left hand with the shiny side down and spread a bit of rice over a quarter of the surface on the bottom left.
7. On the rice, arrange salmon (or prosciutto) strips, avocado, and cucumber. If desired, add some mayonnaise for a creamy touch.
8. Roll the nori starting from the lower left corner upwards to form a cone. The rice should help seal the temaki.
9. Serve immediately with soy sauce and wasabi on the side for dipping.

Temaki are best enjoyed fresh, so it’s better to prepare them just before eating. Moreover, you can always explore other variations, using ingredients such as tuna, teriyaki chicken, pickled vegetables, or whatever you like and that fits your diet or taste preferences.

Trivia

“Temaki” literally means “hand rolling” in Japanese, precisely because the wrapping process resembles the rotating movement made with the hand.