Onigiri rice triangles are a popular Japanese food. They are made by shaping cooked rice into triangular shapes and then filling them with various ingredients, such as fish, pickled vegetables, or meat. Onigiri rice triangles are simple to make and can be enjoyed as a light snack or a full meal.
Onigiri Rice Triangles
Equipment
- Large frying pan
- Spoon
Ingredients
- -1 cup uncooked white rice
- -1/2 teaspoon salt
- -1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- -1 small onion finely chopped
- -1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- -3 tablespoons soy sauce
- -2 teaspoons sugar
- -1 teaspoon dried shiitake mushrooms soaked in water for 30 minutes and drained
- -8 sheets nori seaweed, each about 6 inches by 12 inches
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package instructions.
- In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked rice and all of the remaining ingredients except the nori. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Wet one sheet of nori with water and place it on a work surface. Spoon 1/4 cup of the mixture on top of the nori sheet, spreading it evenly with your fingers. Fold up one end of the nori sheet over the filling, then press down firmly so that it sticks to the filling and forms a triangle shape. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Cooking Tips
Onigiri are easy to make, but there are a few things to keep in mind while cooking them.
Here are a few tips for making perfect onigiri every time:
- Use short grain rice, preferably sushi rice. Long grain rice is not as sticky and will not hold together as well.
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. This will remove any excess starch and help the onigiri hold together.
- Do not overfill the onigiri. The rice should be tightly packed, but not so packed that it’s difficult to form into a ball.
Why is it called onigiri?
Onigiri is a Japanese rice ball, and the name literally means “rice ball”. It is made by shaping steamed rice into a triangular or oval shape, and often contains fillings such as umeboshi (pickled plum), salmon, tuna, chicken, and kelp.
The most popular way to eat onigiri is to pick it up with your hands and dip it into soy sauce before eating. Onigiri is a popular snack food in Japan, and can be found at convenience stores and supermarkets.
Is onigiri a type of sushi?
Onigiri is a type of sushi, but it is not technically sushi because it does not contain fish. While the two share similarities, onigiri is not technically sushi. Sushi is made from raw fish and rice, while onigiri is made from cooked rice and a variety of fillings.
What kind of rice do you use for onigiri?
There are many different types of rice that can be used for onigiri. The most popular type is Japanese sushi rice, which is a short-grain, sticky rice. Other types of rice that can be used include long-grain rice, brown rice, and wild rice. Each type of rice will give the onigiri a different flavor and texture.
How do you make onigiri stick together?
There are many ways to make onigiri stick together. One way is to use a wet cloth to help form the rice into a ball. Another way is to cook the rice in a little bit of oil before shaping it into a ball.
This will help the onigiri stay together when you fill them with ingredients. You can also use soy sauce or furikake, a Japanese seasoning mix, to help keep the onigiri together.
Another popular method is to use a sushi mat. Another is to wet your hands and press the onigiri together. A third method is to use a piece of cling wrap.
What is the best filling for onigiri?
When it comes to onigiri, or rice balls, there are many different fillings that you can use. From simple pickled plum (umeboshi) to salmon and cream cheese, the possibilities are endless. However, some fillings are better than others. Below is a list of the four best fillings for onigiri.
- Salmon and Cream Cheese: This is a classic combination that always tastes delicious. The salmon provides a nice salty contrast to the cream cheese, which gives the onigiri a creamy texture.
- Pickled Plum (Umeboshi): This is a popular Japanese filling that is both salty and sour. It pairs well with rice and gives the onigiri a unique flavor.
- Teriyaki Chicken: This is another classic Japanese filling that is both sweet and savory.