Have you ever used the onigiri emoji? You know, this one 🍙
Being that emojis “picture letters” are a Japanese creation, using them is slightly culturally immersive. You’ve got the onigiri 🍙, the ramen 🍜 , the mochi/dango 🍡 , sushi 🍣 , shrimp tempura 🍤, oden 🍢, matcha 🍵 (I think that’s what that is), sake 🍶, senbei/rice cracker 🍘, bento box 🍱, donuts 🍩 (which are popular in Japan these days), and Japanese sweet potato 🍠!
Last week I shared a grilled matcha mochi recipe with you, and this week it’s all about the onigiri. Perhaps each week I’ll do a different Japanese emoji meal, hehe 🙊
Onigiri is one of those clever, versatile and delicious answers to take-your-lunch-to-work/school. It’s the equivalent to the American peanut butter & jelly sandwich. These rice balls (or triangles) are often filled with pickled plum, yam, or fish, and wrapped in toasted nori seaweed. In Japan you can buy a variety of different onigiri at small vendors, the 7/11, and even at the train station!
On my last day in Japan my host, Kae, packed me the most delightful onigiri made with Japanese yam and kombu broth for my long plane ride back to the U.S. I think that’s when I fell for this perfect portable meal.
I love onigiri because the possibilities for fillings and added spices are endless. In the future I’m going to play around with seasoning my onigiri with other ethic spices. Perhaps a Mexican inspired onigiri filled with spicy refried beans and cilantro, or an Indian onigiri stuffed with curried potatoes and peas, or even a Southern onigiri with red beans. Why not?!
Onigiri filled with Japanese Yam and Kabocha Squash
Ingredients
- 2 cups [url href="http://amzn.to/1Fkh2gu"]sticky rice[/url] rinsed well
- 1/2 cup Japanese yam diced
- 1/2 cup kabocha squash diced (you can eat the skin)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 2 tbsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1ebyScP"]black sesame seeds[/url]
- 8 strips of [url href="http://amzn.to/1AgAn3k"]toasted nori[/url]
- 2 tbsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1GjNFgl"]Mishima Yukari shiso leaf seasoning[/url]
Instructions
- Bring your rice, yam, and squash, salt, and water to a simmer.
- Place a lid on the pot, keeping it slightly ajar, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove the rice from the heat, and cover completely with the lid. Allow to steam for 10 minutes.
- Stir the black sesame seeds into the rice, and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes longer.
- Dampen your hands, scoop out 1 cup of rice, and shape it into your desired onigiri shape. You'll have to work quickly because the rice is hot.
- Alternatively you can put the rice in a sheet of plastic wrap, tighten the wrap, and shape the rice.
- After shaping each rice ball wrap it in a sheet of nori, and sprinkle some shiso leaf seasoning over it.
- Complete with the remaining rice.
- Onigiri will stay fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Allow to sit out at room temperature before eating left overs, because the rice is hard when it comes right out of the refrigerator.
Maikki / May 20, 2015 at 4:36 pm /
These onigiris look so good!
I have made yaki (fried) onigiris that were stuffed with baked sweet potato slices and avocado. They were delicious with some teriyaki sauce 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / May 25, 2015 at 4:08 am /
Oh my goodness! That sounds so amazing!!! I must try yaki onigiri for sure. Do you have a recipe you like?
Maikki / May 25, 2015 at 3:33 pm /
Sure I have! Here’s the link: http://maikinmokomin.blogspot.fi/2015/01/japanilaisia-evaita-yaki-onigirit.html (scroll down for English) 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / May 30, 2015 at 10:41 pm /
THANK YOU!!!
Boards&Knives / May 20, 2015 at 3:21 pm /
You are blowing my mind with this recipe! I love kabocha so much, and the onigiri is SO cute!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / May 20, 2015 at 4:14 pm /
Haha! thank you so much 🙂 I love kabocha so much too. It’s one of the best!! xo
Edlyn D'Souza / May 18, 2015 at 6:51 pm /
This is so beautiful! And I lend you my full support if you choose to make emoji-inspired food. I so badly want to try this now!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / May 20, 2015 at 12:59 am /
Haha, thank you so much!! xoxo