Description
This recipe for Rice Balls offers a simple and delicious way to enjoy perfectly cooked short-grain rice combined with fresh vegetables and wrapped in nori seaweed. Ideal as a snack or light meal, these rice balls are flavored lightly with salt and served with soy sauce for dipping, making them a versatile and tasty dish inspired by Japanese cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Seasoning
- 2 cups short-grain rice
- 2.5 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
Vegetables
- 1 cup chopped vegetables (carrots, peas, or bell peppers)
Additional
- 4 sheets nori (seaweed)
- Soy sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Rinse and Prepare Rice: Rinse the short-grain rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Cook the Rice: Combine the rinsed rice and 2.5 cups of water in a medium pot. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice cook undisturbed for about 20 minutes until tender.
- Rest and Season Rice: Remove the pot from heat and keep it covered to let the rice rest for 10 minutes. After resting, fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in 1 teaspoon of salt while the rice is still warm.
- Mix in Vegetables: Fold in the chopped vegetables (carrots, peas, or bell peppers) evenly into the warm rice to distribute the flavors and ingredients.
- Form Rice Balls: With slightly dampened hands to prevent sticking, scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture into your palm and mold it firmly into a compact ball shape.
- Wrap with Nori and Serve: Optionally, wrap each rice ball with strips of nori seaweed. Serve the rice balls with soy sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use short-grain rice for the best sticky texture, perfect for shaping rice balls.
- Wet your hands with water before shaping to prevent the rice from sticking.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables according to your preference or what you have available.
- Nori seaweed adds authentic flavor and helps hold the rice ball together, but you can omit it if desired.
- Rice balls are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to one day.
