I tend to get obsessed with one kind of food and I stay with that for like a couple of weeks. So, yeah, when I first got my spiralizer, who was eating zucchini noodles for two weeks? Me. This week, I am obsessed with Asian food. For Valentine’s Day, we had some friends over and made sushi and DIY rolls. It was so fun. It had been a while since I last made rolls so I was eager to make some more. Fast.
After I visit to my local Japanese market, I learned how to make a cheater’s version of the spicy sauce that is used when making spicy tuna rolls. Now, your favorite Japanese sushi restaurant certainly does not make it like this, but we home cooks certainly can. And you know what? It’s pretty damn good.
Are you ready for the secret spicy sauce? It’s simply Japanese mayo + Sriracha sauce! Now, you can also add a little sesame oil too for more flavor and even a touch of wasabi, but these are your two main ingredients! And get the Japanese mayo from your local Asian market. Japanese mayo is lighter in flavor and I was told that using the mayo you would purchase from your local grocery store is not the same. Sorry, there was no label . . just ask for the Japanese mayonnaise.
So, I was thinking about options for people who can’t get sushi grade fish easily. . and I was thinking about my vegetarian friends .. and since I love tofu: The Spicy Tofu Roll was born.
I started with some of my favorite raw veggies (carrots, red bell peppers and zucchini, or you can use whatever you like!) and some pan fried tofu.
Start by spreading your sushi rice on a piece of roasted seaweed and then topping with all of your veggies and the tofu. (I used a combination of white rice + brown rice).
Top with the spicy mayo and roll! (More detailed instructions below in the recipe card).
The Academy Awards are on this Sunday . who’s watching? I personally love the red carpet and seeing what all the celebs are wearing. I just watched Cake with Jennifer Aniston. . OK, I totally thought she was nominated for Best Actress?!!! WTH? Really? Who else saw the movie? I know it was a little slow but I loved it. And sadly, American Sniper was the only Best Picture nominee I have watched so far .. but I loved it and if Bradley Cooper doesn’t win Best Actor, I’m throwing something at the TV. Something big.
Are you hosting an Academy Awards party? If so, do something different and fun and make some rolls!! I hope you enjoy!
Spicy Tofu Roll
Ingredients
For the rolls:
- 3 cups cooked seasoned white medium grain rice or more if using more rice in your rolls
- 1 oz. half package Tamanoi Sushinoko powder
- ¼ cup Japanese mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon Sriracha sauce + more if desired
- 6 sheets dried roasted seaweed gim
- 2 large carrots peeled and julienned
- 1 red bell pepper sliced thin lengthwise
- 1 zucchini julienned (do not peel)
- half package tofu pan fried and sliced thin into strips
- sushi ginger
- wasabi
- low sodium soy sauce
Special equipment:
- A bamboo rolling mat
- Disposable gloves
- A small bowl of water
- A wood cutting board or other clean surface
- A sharp knife
Instructions
For the rice:
- Place cooked white rice into a large bowl and let cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes. When cooled, sprinkle on the Tamanoi Sushinoko (Sushi Rice Mix Powder) and mix. The package will say to use more but I only like to use half of the suggested amount of vinegar powder. Taste and adjust the amount if desired.
For the spicy mayo:
- Mix together the Japanese mayonnaise and sriracha sauce in a small bowl. Taste and add more sriracha sauce if desired.
For the rolls:
- Take one sheet of the dried gim and place onto your bamboo mat (make sure the bamboo sticks are horizontal). Spread about a 1/2 cup of cooked, seasoned rice onto 2/3 of the gim, spreading it evenly with your fingers. You can leave one inch uncovered (with no rice at all) at the top. This will help you to seal your roll at the end, or you can cover the entire seaweed sheet (gim) if desired.
- Lay in all of the raw veggies, top with the pan fried tofu leaving about an inch of exposed rice down at the bottom. Top with some spicy mayo. Using the bamboo mat on the end closest to you, roll from the bottom up and over the ingredients (like you’re rolling a sleeping bag), pressing down gently but firmly to make the fillings stay in. As you continue to roll, pull the mat up and straighten it so that it doesn’t get caught in the roll. Continue until you have reached the edge of the gim.
- Using your fingers, dab just a little bit of water along the top seam of the dried seaweed and roll to seal it closed. Roll and gently squeeze one last time with the bamboo mat, set aside and continue with the other seaweed sheets.
- When all of the rolls are finished, using a sharp knife, dip the knife into the water and lift the knife up so the water runs down the blade. This will help you to get a nice, clean cut. Slice each roll into about 8-10 pieces. Serve with sushi ginger, wasabi and soy sauce and enjoy!
For photos on how to roll, click here.
Related links:
- DIY Sushi at Home by Snixy Kitchen
- Salmon Sashimi Bowl with Avocado by Omnivore’s Cookbook
And more sushi recipes from me!
- Spicy Tuna Roll
- Korean Mixed Rice with Sashimi
- Salmon Skin Roll
- Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl
- My kids’ favorite: Tuna Veggie Rolls
