How to make nigiri sushi? Have you ever wanted to make your own sushi but was intimidated by the process? Homemade sushi is not only delicious, but it’s also a healthy and fun way to bond with friends and family while creating something that looks as good as it tastes.
Cooking nigiri sushi is both an art and science, which involves rolling rice into perfect cylinders that are then adorned with a slice of fish or seafood.
Most home cooks tend to shy away from making their own nigiri sushi at home because they either think it’s complicated or that they have to have expensive equipment.
But the truth is that making homemade sushi can be easier than you think — all you need are some simple ingredients like sushi-grade fish, cooked Japanese short grain rice, nori and some condiments.
With these items in hand, even cooking novices can create delicious Japanese delicacies in no time! In this article, we’ll walk through how to make perfect Nigiri Sushi every time.
How to Make Nigiri Sushi
If you’re ready to take your sushi-making skills to the next level, why not try making nigiri sushi? Nigiri is a classic hand-formed form of sushi where fish and other proteins are laid over top lightly seasoned rice.
Follow this guide for step-by-step instructions on how to make tasteful and attractive nigiri sushi that will please your guests.
1. Gather Your Supplies
First things first, assemble all the ingredients and equipment needed to make nigiri sushi.
You’ll need a sushi mat (made from non-slip material), sashimi grade fish of your choice, some washed and cooked short grain white rice, nori (seaweed) strips or sheets, soy sauce for dipping, wasabi for adding flavor, pickled ginger (gari) for garnish and a knife for cutting the sashimi into slices.
Look at this article for the difference of nigiri and sashimi.
2. Cook Your Rice
Cook the short grain white rice according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it forms small clumps that can easily be picked up with chopsticks or your hands.
After the rice has cooled down slightly from being cooked you can season it with su or mirin to give it extra flavor if desired.
3. Cut Your Fish into Strips
Using either pre-cut sashimi grade fish or raw whole fish, cut it into thin strips using a sharp reversed angled knife.
Remember that nigiri comes in all shapes and sizes so don’t feel like you have to stick to one specific size when cutting your pieces of fish!
4. Forming Nigiri Sushi
Once all your supplies are prepped its time to start forming nigiri sushi! Start by wetting your sushi mat then place 1 tablespoon of cooked white rice into the middle of the mat with your fingers.
Use wet fingers as this helps prevent sticking and makes forming easier to manage.
Next shape the mound into an oval with gentle presses from both sides – don’t press too hard otherwise you risk overwetting or squishing out all liquid from the rice! Place a piece of sliced fish on top of each formed ball before carefully squeezing each piece back together again gently so that they hold their shape and stay in place when flipping over onto serving platters later on.
5. Serve & Enjoy
Now its time for serving up those beautiful nigiri creations! For an attractive presentation cut 2 long strips of nori seaweed then use them as decorative ties around each oval shaped piece before transferring them carefully onto serve ware using a spatula or spoon! Serve alongside soy sauce, pickled ginger (gari), wasabi and freshly grated daikon radish if desired – enjoy!
Conclusion
In conclusion, making nigiri sushi can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Whether you’re hosting a sushi night at home or wanting to impress your friends with homemade versions of your favorite dish, this skill is sure to come in handy.
With the right tools and techniques, you’ll soon be rolling out delicious pieces of perfect nigiri sushi like an experienced cook!
