Making rice balls question?!
I remember when i was young i had a Japanese friend and we made rice balls!. I have a few questions though!. I'm using a rice cooker, how do i make the rice sticky so it clumps together in a ball!? And another thing, when i'm making the rice in the cooker, do i season it or add salt!? Thanks!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
You need to use short grain rice, like calrose for instance, for it to stick together!.
Usually, you season the rice with a mixture of vinegar and sugar!. That's put on after the rice is all cooked (the rice is cooked in plain water)!. In some places, you can also just buy a ready-made power to sprinkle on the rice, for this purpose!. I've linked a sushi rice recipe below - that's the general idea!.
When making rice balls ("Musubi"), it's better to not let the rice get completely cold before molding it!. Wet your hands with salt water so the rice doesn't stick!. Sometimes, a salted plum ("ume") is put in the center, or some other treat!. And you may want to wrap the whole thing in seaweed sheets ("nori") - that keeps it from sticking to your hand as you eat it, but it not totally necessary!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Usually, you season the rice with a mixture of vinegar and sugar!. That's put on after the rice is all cooked (the rice is cooked in plain water)!. In some places, you can also just buy a ready-made power to sprinkle on the rice, for this purpose!. I've linked a sushi rice recipe below - that's the general idea!.
When making rice balls ("Musubi"), it's better to not let the rice get completely cold before molding it!. Wet your hands with salt water so the rice doesn't stick!. Sometimes, a salted plum ("ume") is put in the center, or some other treat!. And you may want to wrap the whole thing in seaweed sheets ("nori") - that keeps it from sticking to your hand as you eat it, but it not totally necessary!.Www@FoodAQ@Com