Pressed Unagi Sushi : Genuine Eel Sushi

Are you a sushi lover however usually end up intimidated by the considered rolling your personal? Pressed unagi sushi is for you! This conventional Japanese dish options traditional sushi rice stacked with (or with out) a layer of Japanese egg omelette and topped with grilled eel coated in a scrumptious unagi sauce. Pressed sushi, or ‘oshizushi’, is likely one of the best methods to make sushi as a result of there’s no ability or hand work required. Merely place every thing in a mould and press collectively for fuss and mess free sushi. The flavour mixture of the saucy grilled eel on prime of the rice makes this pressed ‘oshi’ sushi a delight in your style buds whereas additionally making your at-home sushi-making expertise a breeze. Comply with together with this unagi sushi recipe to get pleasure from this genuine delicacy at house!

What’s Unagi?

Unagi is the Japanese title for freshwater eel and is utilized in varied dishes in Japanese delicacies. It’s wealthy in protein, omega-3, and nutritional vitamins making it an ideal meat possibility. The eel is often ready utilizing a cooking methodology referred to as “kabayaki” by which it will get changed into fillets then coated in a sweet-salty sauce and grilled. The eel turns into a young, succulent, and tender texture with a deep taste and savoury/candy style from the sauce. The result’s tremendous scrumptious bbq eel that can be utilized in some ways in varied sorts of Japanese dishes. 

The preferred and customary unagi dishes are:

– Unagi donburi, in any other case often called unadon or unagi don. This can be a rice bowl dish which consists of the grilled unagi served over rice in a big bowl with the candy unagi sauce (unagi tare) glazed on prime. 

– Unagi sushi. There are numerous methods to make use of unagi in sushi together with unagi nigiri, unagi roll, and pressed sushi. Unagi nigiri is a well-liked sort of sushi with the eel positioned over a small ball of sushi rice with a skinny strip of nori sheet across the center. Unagi sushi rolls aren’t typical in Japan however this maki sushi is a well-liked sushi roll in different international locations. It’s often an inside-out roll (uramaki) with the nori seaweed sheet inside and the bbq eel both positioned on prime or rolled inside too. This pressed sushi is the simplest solution to make unagi sushi as a result of there’s no ability required. It incorporates a layer of Japanese egg omelette between the rice for additional taste and texture. Japanese omelette is a standard pairing for bbq eel in Japan because the flavors complement one another effectively.

Fundamental Elements for making Unagi sushi

– Unagi: the star ingredient is, in fact, unagi. That is freshwater eel that has been grilled and glazed with a candy soy sauce-based sauce. You should buy able to eat bbq unagi (kabayaki eel) from native Japanese grocery shops. Buying eel uncooked just isn’t advisable as a result of it requires cautious preparation to create this bbq eel. 

– Sushi Rice: Sushi rice is short-grain rice that has been seasoned with sushi vinegar, whihc is a mix of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. 

– Kinshi tamago: that is thinly sliced Japanese omelette strips. It’s a standard pairing for eel in Japan and provides additional style and texture to the sushi. That is elective; you possibly can omit the egg utterly or substitute it with avocado slices.

– Unagi sauce: Unagi sauce, often known as eel sauce or ‘unagi no tare’, is a key ingredient when making scrumptious Unagi sushi. Unagi sauce is made out of soy sauce, sake, mirin and sugar, just like teriyaki sauce. Retailer purchased unagi sauce from manufacturers like Kikkoman will be discovered however making it at house is more healthy, more energizing, and really simple. 

– Garnishes: garnish the pressed sushi with shiso leaves and sprinkle sesame seeds on prime if you want.

Gear Required

In contrast to common sushi rolls or nigiri, pressed sushi doesn’t have to be rolled so no bamboo mat is required. As an alternative, you’ll want some type of rectangular mould. In Japan, a picket oshibako mould or sushi press is used. This rectangular-shaped software permits you to exactly form and compress the rice and toppings into stunning blocks with clear edges. Select a mould comprised of high-quality wooden that’s immune to moisture, guaranteeing sturdiness over time. You can too use a baking loaf tin or some type of tupperware.

Step by Step Directions

1. Put together the Mildew: Begin by lining your oshibako (picket mould) with a chunk of plastic wrap or parchment paper. This can forestall the rice from sticking to the mould. 

2: Layering Elements: Place a layer of unagi kabayaki fillet pores and skin aspect up on the underside of your ready mould. Unfold an excellent layer of sushi rice on prime of the unagi kabayaki fillet, urgent it gently to make sure it’s firmly packed. Lay strips of eggs evenly over the rice layer. Then once more unfold an excellent layer of sushi rice. 

3. Compressing and Shaping: shut the elements with the plastic wrap then place the drop in picket lid to compress the sushi elements all collectively. 

4. Slice and serve : Use a pointy knife to slice the sushi and drizzle unagi sauce (eel sauce) to serve.

What to Serve with?

There are a number of scrumptious accompaniment choices to serve with unagi sushi that may complement its wealthy and barely candy taste.

1. Miso Soup: This can be a widespread aspect dish in Japan. Its savory and umami flavors will put together present a comforting contact. 

2. Pickled Ginger: Serve pickled ginger often known as “sushi ginger” alongside your unagi sushi to cleanse the palate between bites. The tangy, barely spicy taste of ginger helps refresh the mouth after savoring every bit of sushi. 

3. Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings): These pan-fried dumplings full of floor meat or greens are extremely widespread in Japanese delicacies. Their crispy exterior and juicy filling create a pleasant distinction when loved along with unagi sushi. 

4. Sunomono Salad: This refreshing Japanese cucumber salad is made by marinating thinly sliced crunchy cucumber in vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Its crisp texture and tangy-sweet style present stability to the richness of unagi sushi. 

5. Tempura Greens: Evenly battered and deep-fried greens corresponding to candy potato, zucchini, or eggplant make a wonderful addition to any sushi meal. The crispy tempura coating enhances the softness of unagi completely. 

6. Japanese Inexperienced Tea: Full your eating expertise by serving conventional Japanese inexperienced tea or roasted inexperienced tea (hojicha). 

7. Wasabi and Soy Sauce: These are quite common condiments for sushi. Wasabi provides a particular kick to dishes and gives quite a few well being advantages.

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