Crispy Cucumber Avocado Sushi Rolls

$To make cucumber avocado sushi rolls, you will need: - 1 cup sushi rice - 1 1/4 cups water - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon sugar - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 large cucumbers - 1 ripe avocado, sliced - 4 sheets nori (seaweed) - 1/4 cup pickled ginger (for serving) - Soy sauce (for dipping) - Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish) These sushi rolls are light and healthy. Each roll provides a good mix of nutrients. The sushi rice offers carbohydrates for energy. Cucumbers and avocados add fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats. One serving has about: - Calories: 200 - Protein: 4g - Fat: 7g - Carbohydrates: 30g Choosing fresh ingredients is key for great sushi. Here are some tips: - Cucumbers: Pick firm, dark green cucumbers. Look for smooth skin and no blemishes. - Avocado: Choose ripe avocados that gently yield to pressure. Avoid brown spots. - Nori: Use high-quality nori that smells fresh. It should be dark green and crisp. - Rice: Select sushi rice for the best texture. It should be short-grain. - Ginger: Use bright pink pickled ginger for a zesty flavor. By following these tips, you will create delicious and fresh cucumber avocado sushi rolls! {{ingredient_image_1}} To make sushi rice, rinse 1 cup of sushi rice under cold water. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. This step removes excess starch. Next, combine the rice with 1 and 1/4 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 15 minutes. After that, remove it from heat. Let the rice sit for 10 minutes without lifting the lid. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir until everything dissolves. Then, gently fold this mixture into your cooked rice using a wooden spoon. Be careful not to mash the grains. This step gives the rice its tasty flavor. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature before using it. Take your two large cucumbers and slice one in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds, making a hollowed boat. Repeat this with the other cucumber. Now, cut both cucumbers into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick. These strips will add crunch to your sushi rolls. Lay a sheet of nori shiny side down on a bamboo sushi mat. Wet your hands with water to stop the rice from sticking. Take about 1/4 of the sushi rice and spread it evenly over the nori. Leave about an inch at the top edge. Next, place your avocado slices and cucumber strips in a line across the rice at the bottom edge of the nori. Now, it's time to roll. Start at the bottom edge and lift the bamboo mat. Begin rolling away from you, applying gentle pressure to keep the roll tight. Roll until the nori seals at the top edge. Repeat this process with the remaining ingredients to make more rolls. After rolling, use a sharp knife to slice each roll into 6-8 pieces. Wet the knife blade before cutting. This keeps the slices clean. Wipe the knife with a wet cloth between cuts for the best results. Enjoy your fresh and tasty cucumber avocado sushi rolls! To roll sushi well, start with a bamboo mat. This mat helps create tight rolls. Place nori on the mat, shiny side down. Wet your hands to stop the rice from sticking. Spread sushi rice evenly, leaving space at the top. Add your fillings, like avocado and cucumber, at the bottom. Lift the mat and start rolling away from you. Keep the roll tight, but not too tight. This makes a nice sushi shape. Stickiness can ruin your sushi. Wet your hands before touching the rice. This helps keep the rice from sticking to your fingers. Use a sharp knife to slice the rolls. Wet the blade before each cut. This helps prevent mashing the sushi together. If rice sticks to the knife, wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Make your sushi look great on the plate. Use a colorful dish for a nice contrast. Arrange the rolls neatly, and add small bowls of soy sauce. You can also include pickled ginger on the side. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the rolls for a tasty touch. This makes the dish look even more appealing. Pro Tips Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest cucumbers and ripe avocados for the best flavor and texture in your sushi rolls. Perfectly Cooked Rice: Ensure your sushi rice is cooked perfectly; it should be sticky but still retain individual grains for easy rolling. Wet Your Hands: Always wet your hands before handling sushi rice to prevent sticking and make rolling easier. Sharp Knife for Slicing: Use a sharp knife and wet it before slicing the rolls to achieve clean cuts without squishing the ingredients. {{image_2}} You can add proteins to your cucumber avocado sushi rolls for extra flavor. Here are some great options: - Crab meat: Use imitation crab for a sweet, tender bite. - Shrimp: Cooked shrimp adds a nice texture and flavor. - Tofu: Marinated tofu is a great choice for a plant-based protein. - Chicken: Grilled chicken strips work well in these rolls. These proteins mix well with cucumber and avocado, making your sushi even tastier. If you want to keep it vegetarian or vegan, there are many great choices. Consider these: - Mango: This adds a sweet and juicy element. - Bell peppers: They give a crunchy texture and bright color. - Carrots: Thin strips add a nice crunch and sweetness. - Radishes: Their peppery taste adds a fun kick. Each of these can replace or complement the avocado and cucumber in your rolls. You can enhance the flavors of your sushi rolls with different sauces and spices. Here are my favorites: - Spicy mayo: Mix mayo with Sriracha for a creamy, spicy dip. - Soy sauce: A classic choice for dipping. - Wasabi: This adds a kick! Use it sparingly. - Sesame oil: Drizzle a little on top for a nutty flavor. - Chili flakes: Sprinkle these for some heat. These additions make your sushi rolls even more exciting and flavorful. If you have leftover cucumber avocado sushi rolls, store them properly. Place them in an airtight container. Make sure to eat them within 24 hours for the best taste. If you leave them out, the rice may become hard. To keep your ingredients fresh, store cucumbers and avocados in the fridge. Wrap cucumbers in a damp paper towel to keep them crisp. Place avocados in a separate container. You can add a bit of lemon juice to keep sliced avocado from turning brown. Sushi is best fresh, but you can serve leftovers cold. Do not reheat sushi in a microwave. The rice will become too tough. Instead, enjoy it as a quick snack or meal straight from the fridge. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger for added flavor. To slice sushi rolls, use a sharp knife. Wet the blade before cutting. This helps avoid sticking. Aim to cut each roll into 6-8 pieces. Wipe the knife with a wet cloth between cuts. This keeps each slice clean and neat. Yes, you can make sushi rice ahead of time. Cook the rice and let it cool. Store it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to use, let it come back to room temperature. You can customize sushi rolls by adding your favorite fillings. Try adding cooked shrimp, crab, or tofu for protein. You can also include different veggies like carrots or bell peppers. Think about flavors, textures, and colors when choosing your ingredients. Yes, cucumber avocado sushi rolls are healthy. They are low in calories and fat. Cucumbers are hydrating and full of nutrients. Avocados provide healthy fats and fiber. Plus, you can control what goes in them, making them a smart choice. If you don’t want to use nori, try rice paper wraps. They are thin and easy to work with. You can also use lettuce leaves for a fresh crunch. These options add a different flavor and texture to your sushi rolls. You learned about sushi ingredients and how to prepare them. I shared tips to help you select fresh items and make great sushi rice. You found easy steps for assembly and rolling. I also covered variations and storage tips. Use these insights to create delicious sushi at home. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and ingredients. Your sushi skills will improve with practice, bringing joy to your meals. Embrace the art of sushi-making, and have fun!$

Crispy Cucumber Avocado Sushi Rolls

Delicious sushi rolls filled with fresh cucumbers and creamy avocado.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 4

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup sushi rice
1.25 cups water
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
0.5 teaspoon salt
2 large cucumbers
1 ripe avocado, sliced
4 sheets nori (seaweed)
0.25 cup pickled ginger (for serving)
to taste soy sauce (for dipping)
to taste sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Sushi Rice: Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine the rice and water in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
Season the Rice: In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Fold the seasoning into the cooked rice gently using a wooden spoon, being careful not to mash the grains. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature.
Prepare the Cucumbers: Slice one cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds using a spoon, creating a hollowed boat. Repeat with the second cucumber. Cut both cucumbers into thin strips (about 1/4 inch).
Assemble the Sushi Rolls: Place a sheet of nori, shiny side down, on a bamboo sushi mat. Wet your hands to prevent sticking and take about 1/4 of the sushi rice, spreading it evenly over the nori, leaving about an inch at the top edge.
Add Fillings: Place avocado slices and cucumber strips in a line across the rice at the bottom edge of the nori.
Roll the Sushi: Starting at the bottom edge, lift the bamboo mat and begin rolling away from you while applying gentle pressure to keep everything tight. Roll until the nori seals at the top edge. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients to make more rolls.
Slice the Rolls: Using a sharp knife, wet the blade and slice each roll into 6-8 pieces. Wipe the knife with a wet cloth between cuts to ensure clean slices.
Serve: Arrange the sushi rolls on a platter and garnish with sesame seeds if desired. Serve with pickled ginger and soy sauce for dipping.

Notes

Serve the sushi rolls on a colorful plate with small dishes of soy sauce and pickled ginger. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds over the rolls for an extra touch!

Keyword avocado, cucumber, sushi, vegetarian