Rice balls are easier than you think

A couple days a week we've been hanging out with our son in his school cafeteria. There are two boys at his table who bring the coolest lunches. We've seen them both with rice balls, which is basically sticky rice with some sort of filling, wrapped in Nori.

We love Asian food around here, so we gave our own version a go.

Here's what you need and how you do it:

1 cup white rice (NOT the Minute variety)

3 Tablespoons rice vinegar (Consider investing in this if you haven't already. It's great for salad dressings too. Found in the Asian foods section of your grocery store)

1-2 Tablespoons sugar

Pinch of salt

Filling for the rice balls (Salmon, chicken, pork, tofu)

Nori (otherwise known as seaweed, also found in the Asian foods section) (optional)

Seasame seeds (optional)

Cook the rice according to package directions. Unless you're using a rice cooker, the rule of thumb is 1 part of rice per 2 parts of water.

While rice is cooking, mix the rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Whisk with a fork until sugar and salt are dissolved.

When rice is done, stir in the vinegar/sugar/salt concoction. Mix in bits of meat and sesame seeds (if so desired).

Cut Nori into strips (We find it easier to work with if we dampen it a tiny bit first)

Scoop rice into balls with an ice cream scoop (will have to rinse it after every third ball or so because it gets sticky). Wrap a Nori strip around each rice ball.

Note: These are easier for kids to hold and eat if they are cool.

Comments

[Tammy]

They look delicious....what a great idea for kids to eat!

[TwoBarkingDogs]

Sounds fun and yummy! All you need is a Bento Box and one of those things that makes hard boiled eggs square! (No, really, there are such things!)

I didn't try the spinach/chicken dish yet, but plan on doing so later this week.