Halloween Sushi Balls
 
Prep time
Cook time
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Halloween Sushi Balls... yes, indeed! Move over pumpkins! These sushi balls are so easy and most importantly, fun to make. If you can squeeze rice into balls, you can make Halloween Sushi Balls!
Author:
Recipe type: Halloween/Appetizer
Cuisine: Japanese
Yield: 20 sushi balls
Ingredients
For the sushi rice
  • 2 cups short-grain white rice ("sushi rice")
  • 2 tablespoons rice or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds (optional)
For the base
  • Thinly sliced smoked salmon, avocado, Japanese pickled daikon, or radish
  • Roasted nori seaweed, cut into rounds if desired
For the topping
  • Shredded carrot, kale, cucumber, or imitation crab meat
  • Roasted black sesame seeds
Instructions
For the sushi rice
  1. In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and salt in the vinegar, set aside.
  2. Wash and rinse rice until the water runs clear (you may have to rinse repeatedly), drain completely.
  3. If you're using a rice cooker, mix rice with 2 cups of water and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  4. If you're cooking the rice on the stovetop, mix rice with 2½ cups of water, place on medium-high heat, uncovered, and bring to a boil. Once it boils, stir, then cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes.
  5. Let rice sit for 5 minutes before removing the lid.
  6. While the rice is still hot, scoop into a bowl. Sprinkle it with the vinegar mixture while fluffing it gently with a fork, making sure the vinegar is well-distributed without smashing the rice. Cover it with a paper towel and let it cool just until slightly above room temperature before using.
  7. (Optional) Mix roasted sesame seeds into the cooled rice before making sushi balls.
To form the sushi balls
  1. Place a thin piece of smoked salmon or another base ingredient of choice on a piece of plastic wrap. Scoop a small amount of rice and place on top of the base. (Refer to photos and instructions above)
  2. Gather plastic wrap around rice, twist it, and gently mold rice into a ball.
To make Monster Sushi
  1. Place shredded vegetables or sesame seeds on a small plate or bowl, and dip and roll rice balls on the vegetables/sesame seeds, while gently pressing at the same time.
  2. Place edible eyeballs.
  3. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi paste, and gari (pickled ginger).
  4. This amount of rice makes about 20 1½-inch balls.
Recipe by Fiesta Friday at https://fiestafriday.net/2018/10/22/halloween-sushi-balls/