Fragrant Rice Balls Recipe

                      RECIPES OF JAPAN

Ingredients :

1 1/4 cups

1 1/3 cups

2 teaspoons

50g

2 tablespoons

2

Short-grain rice

Water

Black sesame seeds

Smoked salmon, chopped

Finely chopped pickled ginger

Finely chopped onions

• Wash the rice thoroughly in a sieve under running water until the water runs clear.
• Place the rice in a heavy-based pan with the water and bring it to the boil.
• Reduce the heat to very low, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from heat and stand, with the lid on for 20 minutes.
• Dry-roast the sesame seeds in a frying pan over low heat, constantly shaking the pan, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the seeds begin to pop.
• Combine the salmon, ginger and spring onion in a small bowl. Using wet hands, form 1/3 cup rice into a ball; push 2 teaspoons of the salmon mixture into the center of the rice and reform the ball around it.
• Repeat with the remaining rice and salmon, keeping your hands wet to prevent the rice from becoming sticky.
• Arrange the balls on a serving platter and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.