How to Make Perfect Sushi Bake at Home: a Step-By-Step Guide?

Sushi bake is a popular dish that has gained immense popularity in recent times. If you are looking to try something new or are hosting a party. Baked sushi is a good-to-go option that will make your taste buds content with the food you ate. If it’s for a party, guests are going to love it.  It is a baked sushi casserole that is made with sushi rice, imitation crab meat, and various toppings. This dish is perfect for parties or even for a family dinner. In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to make a perfect sushi bake at home.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups sushi rice
• 3 1/4 cups water
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup fir kaki rice seasoning
• 1 pound imitation crab meat
• 1/2 pound sous vide cooked salmon (optional)
• 4-5 chopped spring onions
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• Firakaki seasoning to taste
• Nori wrapper
• Sesame seeds
• Sushi sauce and sriracha for drizzling
• Cucumber and avocado for serving (optional)

Greater Detail of the Special Ingredients:

• Sushi rice: Sushi rice is short-grain rice that is stickier than regular rice, making it perfect for sushi. It is important to rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch.
• Fir kaki rice seasoning: This Japanese seasoning adds flavor to sushi rice. It is made with dried bonito flakes, salt, sugar, and soy sauce.
• Sous vide cooked salmon: This is an optional ingredient that can be added to imitation crab meat. Sous vide cooking is a method of cooking food in a vacuum-sealed bag at a low temperature for an extended period. This results in tender and juicy fish that is perfect for sushi bake.
• Imitation crab- Imitation crab is made from surimi, which is minced fish flesh — often pollock — that has been deboned and washed, then combined with other ingredients, heated, and formed into crab-like cuts. Real crab is significantly higher in several nutrients compared to imitation crab.

Let us jump into the recipe-

Recipe:

1. Rinse the sushi rice in cold water until the water runs clear: Sushi rice needs to be washed thoroughly to remove the excess starch. Rinse the rice in cold water by placing it in a strainer and running water over it until the water runs clear.
2. Add the rice and water to a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions: Cooking sushi rice in a rice cooker is the easiest and most efficient way to get perfect results. Follow the instructions on your rice cooker to cook the rice.
3. Mix the rice vinegar and fir kaki rice seasoning in a small bowl: The vinegar and seasoning mixture will add flavor to the rice and give it a slightly tangy taste. You can find fir kaki rice seasoning at most Asian grocery stores.
4. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and add the vinegar mixture. Mix well and let it cool: After the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and add the vinegar mixture while the rice is still warm. Mix the rice well and let it cool to room temperature.
5. Preheat the oven to 450°F: Preheat your oven to 450°F so that it will be ready to bake the sushi bake.
6. In a separate bowl, mix the imitation crab meat, sous vide cooked salmon (if using), chopped spring onions, and mayonnaise: The topping mixture is what gives the sushi bake its unique flavor. Mix the imitation crab meat, sous vide cooked salmon (if using), chopped spring onions, and mayonnaise in a separate bowl until well combined.
7. Add firakaki seasoning to the cooled sushi rice according to your taste: You can add firakaki seasoning to the cooled sushi rice according to your taste preference. Firakaki seasoning is a blend of spices that includes sesame seeds, seaweed, salt, and sugar.
8. Transfer the seasoned sushi rice to a casserole dish and flatten it properly: Transfer the seasoned sushi rice to a casserole dish and flatten it properly to create a solid base for the topping mixture.
9. Spread the imitation crab topping mixture on top of the rice and spread it out evenly: Spread the imitation crab topping mixture on top of the rice and spread it out evenly to ensure that it cooks evenly.
10. Top the dish with some chopped spring onions, jalapenos (optional), sesame seeds, sushi sauce, and sriracha: Top the dish with some chopped spring onions, jalapenos (optional), sesame seeds, sushi sauce, and sriracha to add flavor and texture to the sushi bake.
11. Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 20 minutes: Bake the sushi bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is cooked through.
12. Cut the nori wrapper into square pieces while the sushi bake is baking: While the sushi bake is baking, cut the nori wrapper into square pieces so that they are ready to use once the sushi bake is done.
13. Once the sushi bake is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes: Once the sushi bake is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
14. Take a nori wrapper and add cucumber for crunch or avocado (if using). Top it with the sushi bake and then it is ready to serve: Take a nori wrapper and add cucumber or avocado (if using). Top it with the sushi bake and then it is ready to serve.

Enjoy your delicious homemade sushi bake!