A West Coast wonder, hand-rolled with love
Ever want to make your own sushi from scratch? This recipe makes it simple.
Although its name suggests it originated in California, it also has claims up north in British Colombia, Canada. Regardless of the specific location, it’s clear that Japanese American cooks have perfected this recipe to a T. Translated as sour or vinegared rice, sushi came from ancient Japan as a means of fermenting fish in rice and salt. Since then, it’s evolved into a complex culinary art, which you can now participate in from the comfort of your home.
The California roll is known for its vibrant flavors and array of textures – a beautiful mosaic of seafood, avocado, and cucumber. It can be spiced up with wasabi, fresh ginger, or spicy mayo – or dip it in soy sauce for a more savory flavor. However you play with it, make the experience memorable by sharing it with friends or family, so everyone can learn how to roll sushi together!
Is California Roll Healthy?
Overall, this sushi is packed with vitamin-rich veggies and succulent seafood. Avocado provides healthy fats, cucumber is hydrating, and seaweed is full of iron. In the right portions, it’s a balanced and fun way to get your daily nutrients – whether for lunch or an appetizer.
While imitation crab isn’t actually crab, it is still made from seafood and therefore not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. You can, however, replace it with tofu for a similar spongy and protein-rich effect. (If you’re as curious as I was about what imitation crab really is, keep scrolling to find out…)
Making Sushi: A Meditation
While it can be hard to find good quality sushi at the market, this recipe makes it easy to ensure that your sushi is fresh, hand-rolled and made with love. It’s for this reason that I recommend inviting your friends or family to join you in making it; you could have a sushi-rolling party. I’ve rolled sushi by hand before, and while it is tricky at first, it makes for a good meditation because you really get to be mindful of what you’re doing every step of the way. It’s a fun bonding and learning experience, whether you’re with kids or adults.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups sushi rice, cooked
- 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 4 half sheets nori (seaweed)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 8 pieces imitation crab
- 1 small cucumber, cut into matchsticks
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- Soy sauce, for serving
- Wasabi, for serving
- Pickled ginger, for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Season rice, and prepare nori.
Assemble
Add fillings, and roll tightly.
Serve
Slice and serve with condiments.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Uncut and wrapped in plastic wrap, California sushi rolls will last in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that after this, the avocado will brown and the rice will start to harden. Sushi is best served fresh after making it, and so I wouldn’t recommend freezing it either. This is definitely a dish to make and eat on the same day, so be careful to portion everything accordingly and enjoy it to the fullest.
I originally thought that imitation crab was plant-based, but it’s definitely not. In fact, it’s called surimi in Japanese, which roughly means “ground meat.” It’s basically ground fish remolded in the shape of crab. How wild is that? While I wouldn’t recommend eating something like this every day, for a special sushi party it’s perfectly fine, and as always it’s a good idea to check your meat sources to ensure its ethics and quality. If you live on the coast, you can also get real crab meat, which might be a more wholesome (albeit expensive) alternative.
Like I said, rolling sushi by hand as a newbie can be hard, but if you follow the instructions and keep practising, it becomes a lot of fun! My top two recommendations for ensuring easier rolling is to get a bamboo rolling mat, and when you’re rolling – make sure to wet your hands so the rice doesn’t stick.
Serving Suggestions
Aside from the toppings I mentioned (ie. pickled ginger and wasabi), a classic complement to this succulent sushi is tempura-fried veggies. Try Air Fryer Eggplants as a fun alternative.
For a more unique tribute to Japanese culture, try Okonomiyaki (“Whatever You Like, Grilled”). It’s been described as a Japanese pancake or pizza, because you can top it with your favorites and the combos are seemingly endless! I plan on trying this one as soon as possible.
California Roll
Ingredients
- 2 cups sushi rice cooked
- 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 4 half sheets nori seaweed
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 8 pieces imitation crab
- 1 small cucumber cut into matchsticks
- 1 avocado thinly sliced
- Soy sauce for serving
- Wasabi for serving
- Pickled ginger for serving
Instructions
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Season the cooked sushi rice with the rice vinegar, fanning and stirring until it reaches room temperature.
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Place a sheet of nori on a bamboo rolling mat covered with plastic wrap, rough side facing up.
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Wet your hands and spread a handful of rice evenly over the nori, leaving a 1/4 inch border at the top. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
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Flip the nori and rice over so the nori is facing up.
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Arrange imitation crab, cucumber, and avocado in a horizontal row about 1 inch from the bottom.
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Using the bamboo mat, roll the nori over the filling, squeezing gently to form a tight roll.
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Transfer the roll to a cutting board and slice into 6 equal pieces with a sharp, damp knife.
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Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Nutrition
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