How to Make Vegan Sushi atHomeBy Mary Margaret ChappellJuly 13 2021

Sushi is easy to make at home, and it’s a super-healthy option for snacks and meals. Plus, you can get creative and max out onyour favorite plant-based fillings. Here’s how to make and roll your own vegan sushi.

1. Select and Season the Grains

No, you don’t need specialty rice to make sushi. Any short-grain rice type will work, as will other small whole grains such asquinoa, millet, barley, and bulgur.

The real secret to tasty sushi rice and grains is the seasoning. This master recipe provides that perfect balance of sour andsweetness with a touch of salt—the flavor profile that gives the grains their “sushiness.” Be sure to use the optional arrowrootpowder or cornstarch with non-rice grains, as it will help them stick together.

Sushi Rice Recipe (or Other Grains)

2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar or distilled white vinegar1 tablespoon maple syrup1½ teaspoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch, optional ¼ teaspoon salt, optional2 cups hot cooked brown rice or other whole grains

Stir the vinegar, maple syrup, arrowroot (if using), and salt into 2 cups of hot (just-cooked) grains. Cover, and let stand 15minutes so the grains absorb the flavors. Cool until easy to handle, then use to make sushi.

2. Choose Your Sushi Fillings

The following are some go-to fillings for veggie sushi rolls. Use as many or few as you’d like.

AvocadoGreen onions (scallions)CucumberSummer squashFirm or extra-firm tofuLeafy greensMushroomsTomatoesCarrotsCabbageSweet potato

Use Leftovers

Raid the fridge for roasted and steamed vegetables, beans, and spreads that can be tucked inside your rolls along with freshveggies.

Veggies to Skip

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How to Make Vegan Sushi at HomeBy Mary Margaret ChappellMay 07 2020

Avoid potentially stringy or tough additions such as celery, fennel, or fat asparagus.

3. Prep Your Fillings Strategically

For the smoothest sushi rolling (and eating) experience, it’s important to be strategic in the way you prepare your chosen fillings.The best approach depends on the ingredient.

Slice into Strips

Avocados, green onions, cooked vegetables, cucumbers, summer squash, tofu, and leafy greens are best sliced into long strips sothat they can be laid the length of the sushi roll.

Dice Small

Juicy or chewy items, such as mushrooms, tomatoes, and fruit, should be chopped into small pieces so they won’t fall out.

Grate

Grating hard vegetables, including carrots, cabbage, and other root veggies helps soften their crunch so they don’t upstage otherfillings.

How to Roll Sushi

1. Set up a sushi-making station with a sushi mat or clean kitchen towel, some nori seaweed sheets, your seasoned grains, aselection of fillings, and a small bowl of water.

2. Place one nori sheet shiny side down on the mat or towel. Lightly dampen your hands with the water; then spread ⅔ cupseasoned grains on the nori sheet with your hands, leaving a 1-inch border along top and bottom edges. Wet the edgeswith a finger.

3. Arrange the fillings in a line across the center of the grains. Don’t go overboard: Overstuffed sushi can be hard to roll!Use the mat or towel to tightly roll the nori around the filling, tucking the filling under as you roll so it’s not pushed outthe top or sides. Press to seal.

4. Using a sharp, damp knife, slice the roll into rounds. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

3 Types of Sushi

When you want to mix things up a bit while still getting your sushi fix, try these alternatives to maki (the nori-wrapped rolls thatmost people associate with sushi).

Temaki

Temaki, or hand rolls, are rolled like cones around sushi grains and fillings. To make: Cut nori sheets in half. Spread grains over⅓ of the halved nori sheet, and top with filling choices. Roll the nori into a cone around the grains and fillings, and seal in placewith a dab of wasabi, rice, or water.

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How to Make Vegan Sushi at HomeBy Mary Margaret ChappellMay 07 2020

Onigiri

Onigiri are compact balls of grains rolled around fillings. To make: Scoop ¼ cup sushi grains on a piece of plastic wrap. Makean indentation in the center, fill with small, chopped filling options, then cover fillings with more rice. Twist and squeeze theplastic wrap around the grains to make a tight ball. Garnish with nori sheets, sesame seeds, and pickled ginger, if desired.

Chirashi

Chirashi—which comes from the Japanese word for “scatter”—is a kind of sushi salad. Simply scatter your favorite sushifillings over a bowl of sushi grains. That’s it!

Vegan Sushi Recipes from Forks Over Knives

Looking for sushi ideas beyond your basic freestyle veggie roll? Forks Over Knives has got a bunch to get your creative juicesflowing.

Curried Millet RollQuinoa Sushi with Thai Peanut Dipping SauceVegetable Brown Rice Roll

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How to Make Vegan Sushi at HomeBy Mary Margaret ChappellMay 07 2020

Southwest Rice Rolls Teriyaki Veggie Crunch RollTrumpet RollsSpicy Tomato Sushi RollsBulgur and Zucchini Sushi Rolls

This article was originally published on May 7, 2020, and has been updated.

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