Japanese onigiri (rice balls)

[nihon]

I live in Japan and often eat onigiri for lunch. It is great for picnics or packed lunches.

Here is a basic recipe but there are many types of onigiri. Just do a search on the internet for more ideas.

Ingredients:
steamed Japanese rice
strips of dried nori (seaweed)
Salt to taste

*For fillings:
canned tuna fish or grilled salmon (small chunks)

Preparation:
Cook steamed rice. Put about a half cup of steamed rice in a bowl. Make a dent in the center of the rice and place fillings. Wet your hands in water so that the rice won't stick. Rub some salt on your hands. Place the rice in the rice bowl on your hands. Form the rice into a round or a triangle, by pressing lightly with your both palms. Wrap the rice ball with a strip of nori.

I also like to mix sesame seeds in with the rice or sprink some on the outside.

Hope some of you try it.

[kadi]

Nice recipe! I'll definitely give it a try. Since I developed a soy & fish allergy, I don't eat in Japanese or Chinese restaurants (worried that even if I tell the waiter, that I may still get exposed through cutting boards & woks) & I really miss the things that might still be ok for me. Thanks for posting the recipe:)

Is it like sushi that when prepared in a restaurant or shop that the rice is quick-cooled with vinegar? (which is not ok for us)

[nihon]

Nope, no vinegar in onigiri. Just plain sticky, japanese white rice. You can also use brown rice but they don't stick together quite as well.