California Maki

Transport your taste buds to the sunny West Coast with this delectable California Maki recipe, a classic sushi roll that’s perfect for beginners and seasoned sushi lovers alike. Featuring a harmonious blend of creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and savory crab sticks wrapped in a layer of tender sushi rice and nori, this roll is finished with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. The recipe emphasizes precision and freshness, guiding you through traditional sushi-making techniques, like seasoning the rice and mastering the art of rolling with a bamboo mat. Ready in under an hour, these vibrant maki rolls are perfect for a light lunch, dinner, or as a visually stunning party appetizer. Serve with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and a dollop of wasabi for an authentic sushi experience right at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 5

Ingredients

• 2 cups sushi rice
• 2.5 cups water
• 0.25 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 sheets nori sheets
• 10 pieces crab sticks (imitation crab meat)
• 1 whole ripe avocado
• 1 whole seedless cucumber
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1 roll plastic wrap

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear.

Step 2

Combine rinsed rice and water in a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions. Let it sit for 10 minutes after cooking.

Step 3

In a small saucepan, heat rice vinegar, sugar, and salt over low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and remove from heat.

Step 4

Spread the cooked rice onto a large baking sheet and evenly pour the vinegar mixture over it. Gently fold to combine while fanning the rice to cool it quickly. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside.

Step 5

Peel and pit the avocado, then cut into thin slices.

Step 6

Cut the cucumber into long, thin strips, about the same length as the nori sheet.

Step 7

Place a sheet of nori, shiny side down, on a bamboo sushi mat covered with plastic wrap.

Step 8

Wet your hands with a mixture of water and rice vinegar to prevent sticking, and take a small handful of rice. Evenly spread a thin layer of rice over the nori sheet, about 3/4 of the way up the sheet.

Step 9

Sprinkle the top of the rice with toasted sesame seeds.

Step 10

Flip the nori over so the rice side is down on the plastic wrap.

Step 11

Place two crab sticks horizontally along the center of the nori.

Step 12

Add avocado slices and cucumber strips beside the crab sticks.

Step 13

Spread a thin line of mayonnaise over the fillings.

Step 14

Using the bamboo mat, carefully roll the sushi away from you, pressing gently but tightly to form a log-shaped roll.

Step 15

Slice the roll into six to eight equal pieces using a sharp knife, wiping the blade with a damp cloth between cuts for clean slices.

Step 16

Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients to make more rolls.

Step 17

Serve the California maki rolls with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1858.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1549.5

Total Fat 54.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 86mg	0%
Sodium 4959.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 226.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.3g	0%
Total Sugars 52.0g
Protein 42.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 290.3mg	0%
Iron 7.8mg	0%
Potassium 1960.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.2%

Protein: 10.8%

Carbs: 58.1%