The following is my recipe for Avocado Maki made with Forbidden black rice. Forbidden black rice (or purple rice) is often confused with wild rice but make no mistake. It is a whole grain and has an exceptional taste. The taste can be compared to that of a dark fruit but only slightly, those used to eating white or brown rice will find it easy to eat as well. It holds a lot more water and taste better than all the different quinoa that I've tasted. The rice can be used for any dish that requires rice i.e. stir fry, rice pudding and even sushi since it can also be considered a sticky rice.
Forbidden rice can be found at your local Whole Foods Market by Lotus Foods
Ingredients:
1 cup forbidden black rice
1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp sea salt
1 hass avocado (or 1 cucumber for cucumber maki)
4 sheets of nori (sushi seaweed)
Equipment:
Bamboo sushi mat
Sharp knife (chef's knife preferred)
Wooden spool
Method:
Cook the rice with the water amount instructed with the sea salt.
Allow rice to cool for 10 minutes.
Wrap the bamboo mat in plastic-wrap or temporarily in a large zip lock bag with pinch holes near the top.
Fold and cut the 1 sheet of nori in half by its natural line.
Set the bamboo mat on the table.
Place the nori half an inch above on top of the nori mat.
Dip your hands in water lightly to handle the rice.
Layer rice over the nori, covering 2/3, leaving the upper part free.
Remove the seed. Cut the hass avocado in half. (if using cucumber cut into matchsticks without skin)
Slice lengthwise into thick strips (taking up 1/4 of the entire avocado).
Remove gently from inside the skin, keeping the cut slices intact.
Place the avocado in a line along the bottom of the nori sheet where the rice is (towards you).
Lightly wet hands.
Roll the bamboo mat once over applying light pressure on the top and sides.
Pulling at the top of the bamboo mat at the same time.
Lift the bamboo mat just while still having it held on top and roll once more.
Pulling at the top of the bamboo mat at the same time.
Apply light pressure on top
Roll until there is just an about 1-inch strip of nori left showing.
Roll once more and apply pressure on top and sides.
You should have a tight sushi roll.
Prepare the sharp knife by wetting it lightly (prevents sticking).
Cut the avocado roll in half.
Cut the rough edges.
Cut into four even pieces carefully.
Clean the knife and do the same to the uncut roll.
Pulling at the top of the bamboo mat at the same time.
Apply light pressure on top
Roll until there is just an about 1-inch strip of nori left showing.
Roll once more and apply pressure on top and sides.
You should have a tight sushi roll.
Prepare the sharp knife by wetting it lightly (prevents sticking).
Cut the avocado roll in half.
Cut the rough edges.
Cut into four even pieces carefully.
Clean the knife and do the same to the uncut roll.
