Vegan Meetups in Ventura - Making Sushi

Meetup groups are great for getting together with like-minded people.  I love my meetup group in Ventura and our fearless leader Bianca. We have gone to restaurants, had pot-lucks, and combined nature walks with eating.  This is the link if you live in the Ventura, California area:  http://www.meetup.com/vegan-416/.  If you aren't local, you can still go to meetup.com and search for a vegan group in your area.

Bianca taught us how to make vegan sushi.

Since then, I have made it serveral times for myself or cocktail parties.  The sushi rolls can be made earlier in the day and then sliced into bite-sized pieces right before the party.  Here is one of my versions:

First, make the sushi rice.  I found that getting the right rice was a huge issue.  I tried to use other types of rice and ended up with chewy mush.

I used Alton Brown's recipe from his "Good Eats" TV show.

Sushi Rice

2 cups sushi or short grain rice

2 cups water, plus extra for rinsing rice

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon kosher salt

Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover with cool water. Swirl the rice in the water, pour off and repeat 2 to 3 times or until the water is clear.

Place the rice and 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.

Combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds. Transfer the rice into a large wooden or glass mixing bowl and add the vinegar mixture. Fold thoroughly to combine and coat each grain of rice with the mixture. Allow to cool to room temperature.

On this day, I chose to use asparagus, avocado, red and yellow pepper, and cucumbers.  I rubbed the  peppers and asparagus with a little oil and then roasted them in the oven first.  Cook to your preference - undercooked and a little crispy or fully cooked and soft.

Now it is time for the fun!  Place the sushi mat on your counter with the bamboo sticks horizontal to you.  Place a nori sheet on top.  Wet your hands with water and then grab a handful of sushi rice.  Smoosh it onto the nori from the bottom to about two-thirds of the way up.  Spread it all the way to the side edges.   Top the rice with your favorite veggies.  Arrange the fillings in the middle of the rice and extend to the edges.

Clean your hands and then start rolling.  Pick up the front edge of the sushi mat to get the roll started and then go ahead and roll the nori sheet by itself.  Before finishing the roll, dip you finger in water and wet the last strip of nori so that it will stick to itself.  Finish the roll and use the sushi mat to squeeze it into a tight roll. 

Some of my rolls came out a little square.  Some rolls had rice on one side and veggies on the other.  But eventually, it all works out.  Make it for yourself a few times first.  It still tastes good even if it isn't beautiful the first time.

Mix a couple tablespoons of wasabi powder with just enough water to make a paste and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Serve your sushi with bowls of wasabi, pickled ginger, soy sauce, or spicy "mayo."

Spicy mayo is just a mixture of Vegenaise and Siracha sauce.  Go easy on the Siracha.

Supplies needed include: Nori sheets, sushi rice, rice vinegar, kosher salt, sugar, veggies, wasabi powder, soy sauce, sushi making mat.