Homemade Dragon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

Dragon rolls are a delicious and visually stunning sushi roll that combines creamy avocado, fresh cucumber, and savory shrimp or crab meat with a hint of spicy sriracha. This homemade version is approachable for home cooks and perfect for impressing your guests.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sushi rice
• 4 sheets nori
• 1 cucumber, sliced into thin strips
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup cooked shrimp or crab meat
• 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to the package instructions. While still warm, season it with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for that perfect sushi rice flavor.
2. Step 2: Prepare your fillings by slicing cucumber and avocado into thin strips. Set them aside for easy assembly.
3. Step 3: Cover a bamboo rolling mat with plastic wrap to prevent sticking. Place a sheet of nori shiny side down on the mat.
4. Step 4: Wet your hands to stop the rice from sticking, then spread about 1 cup of sushi rice evenly over two-thirds of the nori sheet.
5. Step 5: Arrange the shrimp or crab meat, cucumber, and avocado along the center of the rice. Drizzle the fillings with sriracha sauce to add a spicy kick.
6. Step 6: Use the bamboo mat to roll the sushi tightly from the edge closest to you, applying gentle pressure to form a firm, cylindrical roll.
7. Step 7: Dip a sharp knife in water and slice the roll into eight even pieces. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a bit of wasabi or Japanese mayo in the roll for an extra layer of flavor.
• Substitute cooked crab with fresh, steamed shrimp for a different seafood option.
• Try adding tempura flakes inside the roll for a crunchy texture.
• If you don’t have a bamboo mat, use parchment paper to help roll tightly.

Storage

Store any leftover dragon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Sushi is best enjoyed fresh, but if needed, allow it to come to room temperature before eating. Avoid freezing as it affects the texture of the rice and fillings.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use any type of rice for sushi?

For the best texture and flavor, use short-grain sushi rice. Other rice types won’t stick together as well and may affect the roll’s structure.

How do I prevent the rice from sticking to my hands?

Keep a small bowl of water nearby and wet your hands before handling sushi rice. This helps prevent sticking and makes spreading the rice easier.

Homemade Dragon Rolls Recipe

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4.5 from 88 reviews

Homemade Dragon Rolls are a delightful sushi variation featuring seasoned sushi rice, fresh cucumber, creamy avocado, and savory shrimp or crab meat, all wrapped in nori sheets and drizzled with spicy sriracha sauce. This recipe guides you through the authentic sushi rolling method using a bamboo mat for a perfect cylindrical roll sliced into bite-sized pieces.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 rolls (approximately 32 pieces) 1x
• Category: Sushi
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

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Sushi Rice

• 2 cups sushi rice
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt

Roll Fillings

• 4 sheets nori
• 1 cucumber, sliced into thin strips
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup cooked shrimp or crab meat

Toppings and Sauces

• 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Prepare Sushi Rice: Rinse the sushi rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Cook the rice according to package instructions. While the rice is still warm, season it with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to achieve the signature slightly sweet and tangy flavor.
2. Prepare Fillings: Thinly slice the cucumber and avocado into strips. If using shrimp or crab meat, ensure it is cooked and ready to use.
3. Set Up Rolling Surface: Cover a bamboo sushi rolling mat with plastic wrap to prevent sticking. Place one nori sheet shiny side down on the mat.
4. Spread Rice on Nori: Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking and spread about 1 cup of the prepared sushi rice evenly over two-thirds of the nori sheet, leaving some space at the edges for sealing.
5. Add Fillings: Arrange strips of shrimp or crab meat, cucumber, and avocado centrally on the rice layer. Drizzle evenly with sriracha sauce to add a spicy kick.
6. Roll the Sushi: Using the bamboo mat, carefully roll the sushi into a tight cylinder starting from the end closest to you. Apply gentle, even pressure to ensure the roll holds together well.
7. Slice the Roll: Dip a sharp knife in water to prevent sticking and slice the roll into eight even pieces.
8. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the rolls for added flavor and texture, then serve immediately with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi if desired.

Notes

• Make sure to keep your hands wet while handling sushi rice to prevent it from sticking.
• Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture in your dragon rolls.
• If you can’t find a bamboo mat, a clean kitchen towel can serve as a substitute for rolling the sushi.
• Adjust the amount of sriracha according to your preferred spice level.
• Serve the rolls immediately to enjoy their fresh taste and texture.

Keywords: Homemade Dragon Rolls, sushi recipe, sushi rolls, shrimp sushi, crab sushi, avocado sushi, cucumber sushi, spicy sushi roll, Japanese cuisine