Ingredients:
2 sheets nori (seaweed) (each about 8 inches square)
1 recipe Sushi Rice Filling
Desired fillings (such as small carrot, zucchini, or cucumber sticks; avocado slices; flake-style imitation crab meat; smoked salmon (lox-style); and/or small peeled, deveined, and cooked shrimp)
1 recipe Honey Ginger Sauce (below)
Directions:
Lay seaweed on a sushi mat lined with plastic wrap; with damp fingers, spread 1 cup of the Sushi Rice over each sheet to within 1 inch of the edge at one end. Arrange desired vegetable or seafood fillings just below center.
Roll seaweed toward the 1-inch unfilled edge. (To shape a tight even roll, place your hands under the edge of the mat closest to you. While carefully lifting the edge of the nori, roll the rice-topped seaweed away from you.) Press unfilled edge over top, brushing with water to seal, if necessary.
Cut each roll into 6 pieces; arrange on a platter. If desired, cover and chill for up to 4 hours. Serve with Honey-Ginger Sauce.
Makes 12 sushi rolls
Sushi Rice Filling
In a fine-mesh sieve wash 1/2 cup short grain rice under cold running water, rubbing grains together with your fingers. In a small saucepan combine rinsed rice, 1 cup cold water, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes (rice should be sticky). Remove from heat; stir in 1/4 cup finely shredded carrot, 1 tablespoon sugar, and if desired, 1 tablespoon sake or dry sherry. Cover and cool about 45 minutes or until room temperature. (Rice can be prepared ahead; cover and chill for up to 3 days.) Makes about 2 cups.
Honey-Ginger Sauce
In a small saucepan combine 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons plum sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and one 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced. Bring to boiling, stirring frequently; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until slightly thickened. Strain into a small bowl; cool. Cover and chill. Makes a scant 3/4 cup.
