Soul California Rolls, Turn Your Kitchen Into A Soulful Sushi Restaurant

I love to eat but I hate the hassle of going to a restaurant. You have to get ready, you have to hop in your car or use public transportation, you have to wait to be seated, you have to wait for your food, you have to wait for the check, you have to hop back into your car or public transportation to get home. Why would you go through the hassle of going to a sushi restaurant when you can turn your kitchen into a sushi restaurant? This recipe is quick, easy, inexpensive and very interactive, so please, please include your children, family or your boo! The soul song of the night is Brett Dennen's Sydney ( I'll Come Running).

You can find Roasted Seaweed Sheets in your supermarket or in an Asian supermarket. I journeyed to Korean Town in NYC for mine.

DISCLAIMER: I did not use all the traditional techniques used in Japanese Restaurant, these are California rolls, the soul way!

California Rolls

Total time 20 minutes

Cook time 15 minutes

Prep time 5 minutes

Serves 4

10 pack of  Roasted Seaweed sheets

3 cups  of Rice ( I use parboiled)

1 large Cucumber

1 large Avocado

Soy Sauce
 Olive Oil

paper towels

 

1. Add 3 cups of rice and water to a pot.
    Use less water as we would like the rice to be a little dry.

2. Ignite the  eye of your stove and cook the rice on medium heat.
   
3. Add a metal top or ceramic top/plate to your pot while the rice is boiling to decrease the  

     cook time. Check your rice occasionally.

4. Cook your rice for 10 minutes or until all the water has boiled from the pot. 

5.  Allow the rice to cool for 5 minutes.

6. Lay one seaweed sheet on a paper towel.

7. Spread a thin layer of rice on top of the seaweed sheet.

    Press the rice into the seaweed.

    Ensure that you leave space on the edges of the seaweed, as we are going to roll it. This will    

   prevent rice from falling out and will help better seal the roll.

 


8. Peel  the cucumber.
 

 9. Use your peeler to create cucumber shaving.

10. Spread your cucumber shavings over the bed of rice.

     Ensure than cucumber shaving cover the entire sheet of seaweed.

 








 
11.  Cut a chunk of avocado.

 12. Place the chunk of the avocado In the middle of the cucumber shaving.

In sushi restaurants, they have  a bamboo roller to roll the California rolls. I am an innovator, your papertowel can act as a low cost roller.

13. Gently raise the ends of the papertowel.

 

 

14. Fold over the ends of the seaweed gently.

15. Continue rolling until you have a California rolls.

 

16. Use a SHARP knife to cut your California roll ( I cut mine into 6 pieces).

 

17. Fill a saucer with 3 tablespoons of soy sauce for dipping.

 

Your California rolls are ready to serve!

 

Stay Tune for the accompany Sweet N Sour Tofu recipe.

 

 

 

Tofu Nuggets ( If You Are A Fan Of Chicken Nuggets, You Will Love These)

                                               Parmesan, Sesame Tofu Nuggets


Total Time: 10 Minutes
Prep Time: 5 Minutes 
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
These are perfect for the snacker, children, game night and meals on the go. This is my recipe but feel free to REMIX it and make it your own! Everyone said my food tastes so good because I put love in it, which is true! I listen to soul music while I cook, it motivates me. Take a listen of Cody Chesnutt's No one Will

Ingredients
1 Pack of Extra Firm Tofu
2 Teaspoons Olive Oil
4 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce or Hot Sauce for spicy nuggets
1/3 Cup of Grated Parmesan (optional)
2 Tablespoons of Paprika
4 Tablespoons of Sesame Seeds
3 Dashes of Pepper



I am including a picture of "raw" tofu, fresh out of the package so you can know whatcha working with. Tofu is a spongy brick that is pre-packaged with water to retain the moisture. Once you open the package, just drain the water. Once the water is drained, it will remain moist.  You have the option to use paper towels to drain the additional moisture.

The fun part is deciding how to cut your tofu into squares. I cut my Tofu in a pattern similar to the Rubik's Cube.

Directions

Mix Paprika, Italian Dressing/Hot Sauce, Pepper, Sesame SeedS and Salt in a bowl
Dunk every side of each Tofu cube into the mixture until it is saturated

Warm a skillet to medium heat
Add Olive Oil to the skillet
Use your spatula to cover your skillet in the oil
Place the Tofu cubes into the skillet
Routine your Tofu to each side until it is completely browned

Let it cool for 3 minutes before eating

* If you like Parmesan cheese, dust your Tofu bites
* If you don't like Parmesan cheese, dunk these tasty bites into your favorite dipping sauce. You can dunk them in BBQ, Honey Mustard, Sweet N Sour sauce.