Sushi Sandwiches (Onigirazu)

This is a great hand-held sushi alternative. You can stuff it with whatever vegetables or protein that you like. In this recipe I made a vegetarian version and a canned tuna version, but you can use traditional sushi fillings such as raw tuna or salmon, or other meat including chicken, shrimp, ham slices and so on. As an alternative to sushi rice you can also use black rice. You can serve with pickled ginger, wasabi, soy sauce, or chilli mayonnaise. 

Ingredients:
Makes 4 'sandwiches'

• 1 cup sushi rice (about 225g) 
• 2 tbsp white rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp mirin
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 nori sheets
• 1 carrot, cut into julienne
• 1 pepper, cut into julienne
• 1 spring onion, cut into julienne
• 1/4 cucumber, cut into julienne
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
• Tuna (or any other protein)

Chilli Mayonnaise:

• 1 tsp chilli sauce (such as sriracha or gojuchang)
• 1 tsp sweet chilli sauce
• 1.5 tbsp mayonnaise 

Directions:

Rinse the sushi rice under cold running water until the water runs clear (not cloudy). Put in a pan with 300ml water and put on medium high heat until the water starts boiling, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Then take off the heat and let to rest for 10-15 minutes. 

In the meantime mix the white rice vinegar, mirin, sugar, and salt in a small bowl, until the salt and sugar have melted. Once the rice has rested for the 10-15 minutes, add the rice vinegar mixture and mix well. Leave to cool. 

Put a nori sheet on a piece of cellophane, and place so that it is in front of you like a diamond (with a corner to the North).  In the middle put a small square of rice. Layer the vegetables and protein if using, and add another layer of rice. Use the cellophane to close each corner to the centre of the rice square, then close in the cellophane tightly. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve with pickled ginger, wasabi, soy sauce or chilli mayonnaise. 

For the chilli mayonnaise mix the chilli sauce, sweet chilli sauce, and the mayonnaise.