If you love sushi, chances are you want to learn how to make it at home. The basis for a fabulous sushi is perfectly cooked and seasoned rice. Using a rice cooker is the fastest and most effective way to get perfect rice. Washing the rice to remove excess starch from the surface of the grains is important to prevent it from being too sticky. From then on, the rice cooker will do most of the work.
Ingrediants
- 700 g of rice for sushi
- Cold water
- 120 ml of rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of salt
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Wash the Rice
Step 1. Purchase a package of sushi rice from the supermarket
It is a variety of rice with short grains, which remain more united than long ones. If you can't find rice specifically formulated for sushi, choose any rice with short grains or medium sized ones at the most.
You can also make sushi with long-grain rice, but you will get a mediocre result
Step 2. Weigh the rice and pour it into the sieve
A sieve with very fine meshes, which do not let the grains pass, can also be used. Follow the directions on the package to know how much to use based on the number of diners.
- As a general rule, you can use around 100g of rice per person.
- The instructions on the packaging may differ from those in the rice cooker manual. In this case, give priority to those for using the pot.
- Remember that during cooking, rice absorbs water and swells, almost doubling in volume.
Step 3. Place a glass bowl in the sink and place the sieve on it
Take a transparent tureen and place it in the center of the sink, in correspondence with the water jet. Place the sieve and then turn on the tap so that the water falls on the rice and then inside the bowl. By observing the color of the water you will be able to tell when the rice has lost the excess starch.
Step 4. Let the cold water run over the rice
Turn on the tap and start rinsing the beans. This step is essential because rice is a food that contains a lot of starch. You need to rinse it thoroughly to ensure perfect cooking and to prevent it from becoming too sticky.
- Use cold water to avoid the risk of cooking the rice while you wash it.
- If you want to conserve water, fill the bowl and then place the sieve on it. In this way the rice will lose less starch, but you will still be able to wash away the dust from the grains due to the processing they have undergone before being packaged.
Step 5. Stir the rice with your hands
Rub it gently between your fingers to better rinse the individual beans, but be careful not to crush them as they could break. As you rinse the rice, notice how the water inside the bowl becomes cloudy due to the starch and processing dust.
As you stir, check that there are no foreign objects hidden between the beans. In most cases, you won't find anything strange, but sometimes you might spot some pebbles, so it's always best to check them out
Step 6. Stop when you see that the water in the bowl is clear
When you realize that it is no longer cloudy, it means that the rice has lost most of its starch. Turn off the tap and throw away the water that has accumulated in the bowl.
Step 7. Scatter the rice grains to dry
Pour them into a baking dish or onto a large sheet of parchment paper. Space the grains with your hands, trying to arrange them in a single layer, then let them air dry for 15 minutes.
If you are short on time, you can avoid letting the rice dry, but keep in mind that when dry it will cook better
Part 2 of 3: Cook the Rice
Step 1. Pour the rice into the pot
Gather the beans inside the pan or in the center of the paper and start transferring them to the rice cooker. Check the instruction manual of the pot to find out what the maximum capacity is. If some grains stick to the pan or paper, gently peel them off without crushing them.
Step 2. Pour the water into the rice cooker
Generally the amount of water needed is equivalent to that of rice, for example if you intend to cook 400 g of rice you will need to add 400 ml of water. However, to get a good result, it is best to consult the instruction manual of the pot.
- Some models of rice cookers have reference marks inside, which indicate how much rice and how much water to use based on the number of servings.
- Don't try to gauge how much water to add by eye. Strictly follow the instructions in the instruction manual of the pot or those on the rice package.
Step 3. Plug in the power socket and turn on the rice cooker
Each model is slightly different, but in general it is best to add the rice and water before activating the pot. Otherwise, the rice could start cooking ahead of time. Consult the manual to manage the settings correctly. Among the different functions, there could be one reserved for cooking rice for sushi.
Place the rice cooker on a stable, sturdy surface. Move other objects away to prevent them from heating up. Any red-hot coil is synonymous with danger, without exception
Step 4. Let the rice cooker do its job
Close the lid and wait while the rice cooks. There is no need to stir, but pay attention to the cooking time; to determine it is more than anything else the rice cooker model.
The rice cooker may have a timer or an automatic shut-off mechanism. If not, check the time on the clock or use the kitchen timer to monitor the cooking duration. Follow the directions on the rice package and be careful not to cook it for too long to prevent it from becoming soggy
Part 3 of 3: Add the Sushi Toppings
Step 1. Prepare the dressing with rice vinegar, sugar and salt
Pour 120ml of rice vinegar (do not use a different variety of vinegar), two tablespoons (30g) of sugar and two teaspoons (10g) of salt into a bowl. Stir until the salt and sugar have dissolved completely.
- These are the adequate doses for 700 g of uncooked rice. You can change them while keeping the proportions unchanged if you intend to season more or less. You can also vary the quantities slightly according to your personal tastes, to make the sauce a little stronger or a little more delicate.
- In well-stocked supermarkets or Asian food stores you can find ready-made sushi dressing.
Step 2. Pour the rice into a large bowl and add the dressing
Transfer the rice from the pot to the bowl using a large wooden spoon, then distribute the seasoning over the grains evenly. If this is your first time following this recipe, add them a little at a time, mix and taste to find the right balance of flavors according to your personal tastes. You can always add more seasoning, while removing it is impossible.
Step 3. Stir the rice thoroughly
You can use a large wooden spoon or a silicone spatula. Mix the beans gently to distribute the vinegar in the best possible way. Keep stirring for a couple of minutes to make sure each grain is perfectly seasoned. Be careful not to crush the rice and try not to break the grains.
