How to Make Rice Balls (Onigiri)

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Servings: 2
Yield: 2 servings

Description

Perfect for parties or picnics, Japanese onigiri (rice balls) are easy to make with Japanese rice, seaweed, and your favorite sushi toppings.

Ingredients

2/3 cup short-grain rice, rinsed
2/3 cup water
3 sheets nori (dry seaweed), cut into 1-inch strips
salt to taste
seasoned sesame seeds to taste
shiso with hijiki (dried seaweed flakes) to taste

Directions

1 Combine rice and water in a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to low and cook until water is completely absorbed, 12 to 13 minutes. Remove from the heat; keep covered and steam for another 10 minutes. Remove lid and cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
2 Wet your hands and form small amounts of rice into triangle shapes if possible, or round balls. Wrap each onigiri with a strip of nori. Season with salt and garnish with sesame seeds and seaweed flakes.