Best 5 California Rolls Sushi Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant state of California with our tantalizing California Rolls Sushi recipe. This iconic dish, deeply rooted in the rich culinary tapestry of California, is a symphony of flavors and textures that will transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of the Golden State.

At the heart of this delectable creation lies perfectly cooked sushi rice, seasoned with a delicate balance of vinegar, sugar, and salt. This fluffy and slightly sticky foundation provides the perfect canvas for a harmonious blend of fillings. Fresh and crisp cucumber, rich and creamy avocado, and the delicate sweetness of imitation crab come together in perfect harmony, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate.

Wrapped in sheets of roasted seaweed, each roll is a masterpiece of culinary artistry. The nori adds a subtle briny flavor that complements the fillings beautifully, while the sesame seeds sprinkled on top provide a delightful textural contrast.

This recipe also includes variations that cater to different dietary preferences and culinary curiosities. For vegetarians, tofu stands in as a protein-packed alternative to imitation crab, while the adventurous can explore the umami-rich depths of salmon or tuna.

With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and a detailed video tutorial, this recipe is accessible to home cooks of all skill levels. Gather your ingredients, prepare your sushi mat, and get ready to create a taste of California in your own kitchen. Let the flavors of the Golden State delight your senses as you savor each bite of this iconic sushi roll.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CALIFORNIA SUSHI ROLLS



California Sushi Rolls image

This tastes as good as any restaurant or store-bought California roll. Plus, it's one of the easiest sushi recipes for when you're first learning how to make sushi. For best results, use the sushi rice to ensure the right sticky consistency. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 1h

Yield 64 pieces.

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups sushi rice, rinsed and drained
2 cups water
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
Bamboo sushi mat
8 nori sheets
1 small cucumber, seeded and julienned
3 ounces imitation crabmeat, julienned
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and julienned
Reduced-sodium soy sauce, prepared wasabi and pickled ginger slices, optional

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, combine rice and water; let stand for 30 minutes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from the heat. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes., Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine the vinegar, sugar and salt, stirring until sugar is dissolved., Transfer rice to a large shallow bowl; drizzle with vinegar mixture. With a wooden paddle or spoon, stir rice with a slicing motion to cool slightly. Cover with a damp cloth to keep moist. (Rice mixture may be made up to 2 hours ahead and stored at room temperature, covered with a damp towel. Do not refrigerate.), Sprinkle toasted and black sesame seeds onto a plate; set aside. Place sushi mat on a work surface so mat rolls away from you; line with plastic wrap. Place 3/4 cup rice on plastic. With moistened fingers, press rice into an 8-in. square. Top with one nori sheet., Arrange a small amount of cucumber, crab and avocado about 1-1/2 in. from bottom edge of nori sheet. Roll up rice mixture over filling, using the bamboo mat to lift and compress the mixture while rolling; remove plastic wrap as you roll., Remove mat; roll sushi rolls in sesame seeds. Cover with plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make eight rolls. Cut each into eight pieces. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi and ginger slices if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 35 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 30mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CALIFORNIA ROLLS (SUSHI)



California Rolls (Sushi) image

Here's is a simple and cheapest way to eat all the sushi you want! This is also a great side dish for your Sunday afternoon football game. You can use any filling such as: scrambled eggs (cut lengthwise), any Deli Salad, Avocado, cucumber, pickled red ginger...etc.

Provided by Connie "Kiyu" Guerrero

Categories     Seafood Appetizers

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 c sushi rice (cooked)
1 pkg nori sushi wrappers (seaweed)
1 medium avocado (thin slice lengthwise)
1 medium cucumber (remove the seeds and slice thin lengthwise)
1 c crabmeat or (deli crab salad)
2 Tbsp mayonaise
1 tsp salt
1 medium bowl of water (to dip you fingers so it don't stick)
1 bottle furikake (seaweed rice sprinkler)
2 Tbsp red pickles ginger (for garnish)
4 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/4 c water (more or less)
1 pinch salt

Steps:

  • 1. Make the rice - (Mix 4-tbsp rice vinegar, salt, sugar and water) - Mix vinegar water mixture into the rice and mix them well. - This is done to prevent the rice from sticking to your fingers and also to add flavor to the rice)
  • 2. Cover the bamboo mat in plastic wrap. Cut a piece of Nori (seaweed/algae) in two.. Cut up some avacado, cucumber and cream cheese.
  • 3. Place the ½ nori sheet at the end (toward you) of the mat. Spread a small handfull of sushi rice on the nori sheet, leaving a ¼ of an inch on either side.. Shake on some furikake or sesame seeds. Flip the whole thing over (yes it's sticky enough that it's possible)
  • 4. Place one slice avacado, cucumber and crab meat and mayonaise or cream cheese (thin slice) along the middle of the roll. Roll gently with even pressure. Cut roll in half. Align the 2 halves and cut twice into 6 even pieces.
  • 5. Arrange the sushi on a platter and serve. FOR DIPPING SAUCE: Mix in a small bowl, 3-tbsp Soy sauce, 2-tbsp lemon juice and wasabi.

VEGETARIAN CALIFORNIA ROLLS (SUSHI)



Vegetarian California Rolls (Sushi) image

I found that these are one of the few foreign foods even French people will love ; ) They are really easy to make - trust me I'm a lazy cook! - and deceptively impressive when done!! Great for brown bagging too!

Provided by milkamaiden

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 30m

Yield 40-50 pieces, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (10 sheet) package nori (roasted seaweed)
4 cups sushi rice
japanese rice wine vinegar
4 -6 tablespoons sugar
1 cucumber, cut into thin strips lengthwise
2 -3 carrots, cut into thin strips lengthwise steamed
1 -2 avocado, sliced thinly lengthwise
1 bunch green onion, cut into thin strips lengthwise
prepared wasabi paste (use sparingly it's really hot!)
prepared plum sauce
prepared pickled ginger
soy sauce

Steps:

  • Prepare the sushi rice according to package instructions (I use a rice cooker - fool proof).
  • Prepare your veggies while the rice is cooking.
  • Once the rice is done put it in a bowl and season to taste with rice vinegar and sugar - the mixture should be pleasantly sweet and sour. Spread up the edges of the bowl to cool for a couple of minutes.
  • Lay down a nori sheet on a rolling mat. Using a spoon dipped in water spread the rice (min. 1/2 in / 1.5 cm thick) on the nori leaving a strip of about 2 in / 5cm at the far side of the sheet facing away from you.
  • Use a teaspoon to spread some plum sauce down the middle of the rice. Top with 1-2 slices of cucumber, carrots, avocado and green onion each depending on size of the veggies you cut (they need to spread all along the middle of the rice from end to end).
  • Using your mat roll up the nori pressing down with your hands as you roll to keep the roll firm.
  • Set the rolls on a plate with the bare strip of nori facing down. The moisture from the rice will seal the rolls. Let sit to firm up.
  • Using a sharp knife cut the ends of the rolls and eat immediately ; )
  • Cut the rest of the rolls into neat bite sized pieces and serve with the wasabi and pickled ginger and soy sauce for dipping - you may want to let your guests decide on how much wasabi to use, especially if they are French : ).

CALIFORNIA AND MAKI ROLLS (JAPANESE SUSHI)



California and Maki Rolls (Japanese Sushi) image

The difference between California Rolls and Maki-zushi is the way it's rolled. The California Roll has the sushi rice on the outside with the nori on the inside. A Maki roll has the sushi rice on the inside with the nori on the outside. For directions on making the sushi rice see Recipe #383636. This is a combination of recipes found on Food Network. Special equipment need is 2 bamboo sushi rolling mat plus a bowl of water with ice. SUSHI ETIQUETTE: Sushi is meant to be finger food, quick and tasty. It is preferable to eat sushi with ones hands rather than with chopsticks, but both ways are acceptable in America. Eat the whole sushi roll at once. It is not appropriate to eat part of a piece of sushi and place the other piece back on a plate. Once you have picked something up you should eat all of it. Do not dip the California rolls into the Soy sauce as the rice portion of the sushi will become too moist and can cause sushi to fall apart. Maki rolls can be dipped into the Soy because the seaweed (Nori) is on the ouside and will hold it together. Simply dip into the soy sauce before eating.

Provided by Galley Wench

Categories     Japanese

Time 20m

Yield 24 pieces

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 lemon, juiced
1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced into 1/4-inch thick pieces
4 sheets nori
4 cups sushi rice, cooked (Sushi Rice Made in Bamboo Steamer)
1/3 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into matchstick-size pieces
4 crabsticks, sliced lengthwise
pickled ginger, for serving
wasabi, for serving
soy sauce, for serving

Steps:

  • Squeeze the lemon juice over the avocado to prevent browning.
  • Cover a bamboo rolling mat with plastic wrap.
  • Cut nori sheets in half crosswise.
  • Lay 1 sheet of nori, shiny side down, on the plastic covered mat.
  • To make Califronia Rolls:.
  • Wet your fingers with water and spread approximately 1/2 cup of the rice evenly onto the nori.
  • Sprinkle the rice with sesame seeds.
  • Place the second plastic covered bamboo rolling mat on top and flip the two over so that the rice side is down.
  • Place 1/8 of the cucumber, avocado and crab sticks in the center of the sheet.
  • Grab the edge of the mat closest to you, keeping the fillings in place with your fingers, and roll it into a tight cylinder, using the mat to shape the cylinder.
  • To make Maki:.
  • Spread 1/2 cup of the rice over the surface of the nori, leaving about 1/2-inch of nori on the furthest edge uncovered so you will be able to seal the roll.
  • Press the rice down firmly but gently.
  • Sprinkle sesame seeds on the rice.
  • Place 1/8 of the cucumber, avocado and crab sticks in the center of the sheet.
  • Begin rolling the edge of the bamboo closest to you, using the mat to press down on the sushi roll firmly but gently as you roll.
  • The nori should stick to itself when the roll is complete; if it doesn't, use a cornstarch slurry to moisten it.
  • Pull away the mat and set aside.
  • Cover with a damp cloth.
  • Repeat until all of the rice has been used.
  • Cut each roll into 6 pieces.
  • Serve with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.

UNCLE BILL'S SUSHI RICE AND CALIFORNIA ROLLS



Uncle Bill's Sushi Rice and California Rolls image

This is my version to make Sushi. I experimented many times to come up with a tasty recipe ;this recipe.

Provided by William Uncle Bill

Categories     Vegetable

Time 45m

Yield 6 Sushi rolls

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 1/4 cups cold water
1 1/2 cups japanese sushi rice (Nishiki)
1/2 cup japanese sushi seasoning (Mizikan)
2 tablespoons mirin
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
7.5 (8 inch) nori (dried seaweed sheets)
2 teaspoons wasabi paste, for each nori sheet
1 teaspoon soy sauce, for each nori sheet (optional)
1 teaspoon pickled ginger, for each nori sheet

Steps:

  • Suggested ingredients to use for Sushi rolls, use at least 4 items of your choice.
  • Smoked salmon strips.
  • Pickled ginger.
  • Cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/8 inch thick slices.
  • Avocado, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch thick strips.
  • Steamed asparagus.
  • Sweet red pepper strips.
  • Carrot, peeled and cut into thin strips.
  • Green onions.
  • Cooked fresh shrimp.
  • PREPARING SUSHI RICE.
  • Rinse the rice at least 2 times in cold water, then drain well.
  • In a rice cooker add the 2 1/4 cups of cold water and 1 1/2 cups of rice. Place cover, press the switch to cook. The cooker will shut off automatically in approximately 20 minutes. Do not lift lid while cooking.
  • If using a saucepan, add the water and rice and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 18 to 20 minutes. Do not lift lid while cooking.
  • When rice is cooked, remove to a large bowl and let rice cool slightly.
  • In the meantime, in a small saucepan, add the Japanese Sushi Seasoning, Mirin, salt and sugar. Slowly bring to boil and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool until just warm.
  • Use a small electric fan to fan the rice while adding the seasoning mixture.
  • Pour the seasoning mixture over the rice in small amounts, fanning and gently stirring with a wooden spoon to coat the rice.
  • Place rice in the refrigerator to cool and the rice to fully absorb the seasoning mixture.
  • Preparing Sushi California Rolls.
  • Lay 1 sheet of Nori seaweed with shiny side down on a bamboo sushi mat.
  • Spread the wasabi paste over the Nori sheet to within 1 inch of the top end.
  • Spread a 1/4 inch layer of cooled rice over the Nori sheet to within 1 inch of the top end (the farthest part of the sheet from you.
  • Sprinkle some soy sauce over the rice if desired.
  • Lay your selected ingredients in a horizontal line on the rice across the Nori sheet at the edge nearest you.
  • As a suggestion, use smoked salmon, pickled ginger, avocado slices, green onions, carrot strips, cucumber strips, and sweet red pepper strips.
  • Using the bamboo mat, start rolling from the edge closest to you over the filling, moving the front edge of the mat ahead as you roll, rolling fairly tightly.
  • Dampen the top edge with water to seal the edge of the Sushi roll.
  • Remove the Sushi roll from the mat and slice the roll cross-wise into about 1/2 inch thick round pieces.
  • Make a mixture of 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of wasabi paste, mixed well and use this as a dip if desired.
  • Refrigerate any unused sushi rolls.
  • Note: To thinly slice the carrots and cucumbers, use a potato peeler.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, high-quality ingredients will make all the difference in the taste of your California rolls.
  • Cook the rice perfectly: The rice is the base of the California roll, so it's important to cook it perfectly. Make sure the rice is cooked through but not mushy.
  • Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife will make it easier to cut the sushi rolls evenly and cleanly.
  • Don't overstuff the rolls: If you overstuff the rolls, they will be difficult to roll and may fall apart.
  • Be patient: Making sushi takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if your first few rolls don't turn out perfect. Just keep practicing and you'll eventually get the hang of it.

Conclusion:

California rolls are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or a quick and easy meal. With a little practice, you can make California rolls at home that are just as good as the ones you get from a restaurant. So next time you're in the mood for sushi, give this recipe a try!

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