Think Outside the Can: Inside Out Salmon Sushi Roll

By Melissa Iwai, Cross-posted fromThe Hungry Artist

I was recently invited byGreenpeaceto enter theirThink Outside the Canrecipe contest. They launched the contest to raise awareness on the destructive and irresponsible tuna fishing practices of large companies, such as Chicken of the Sea. The hope is that by raising awareness, these companies will realize their customers care about environmental practices.

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Want to help us Think Outside the Can? Share your tuna free recipe with us and you could win a $250 gift card to Williams-Sonoma! Show your support for sustainable fishing and be canned tuna-free. First 25 contest entries win a free Greenpeace Mug! It’s also a great way to get the fame and recognition your blog deserves!

By helping us Think Outside the Can, youll be telling Big Tuna that sustainability is possible, and that its past time for them to stop ripping up our oceans.

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My recipe uses an alternative to tuna canned Wild Alaskan Salmon. Salmon caught in Alaska is abundant and the fishing processes used are not damaging to the environment. ThisSeafood Guideis helpful to determine whether or not the seafood you are buying is eco-friendly or not.

The salmon salad I make has an Asian flair with roasted sesame oil and wasabi mayonnaise. In Japanese convenient stores, tuna salad used in rice balls (onigiri) is common, and I thought Id do a sushi roll (makizushi) version and replace the tuna with salmon. You could also just use it in a sandwich or on crackers of course!

First, cover a sushi rolling mat with saran (I had forgotten to do this in the photo! The saran makes life easier). Then place roasted dried seaweed (nori) sheet on top. Cover with a layer of seasoned rice using a spoon or paddle. I dip the back in water while pressing which keeps the rice from sticking to it. Sprinkle the rice with roasted sesame seeds.

Flip the whole thing over so that the nori is facing up. This is where the saran comes in handy!

Put a strip of the salmon salad in the middle with a sprig of green onion. Then, using the roller, roll up tightly from the bottom. Cover the filling with the bottom of the nori and rice and slowly continue to roll, gradually removing saran as you go (so that it doesnt get caught inside). At the top 3/4 of the nori, wet with a bit of water with your finger and finish the roll. The water will seal the ends together.

Then cut the roll in half, then cut the halves into fourths, so you have eight pieces per roll.

I actually prefer the taste of the salmon used this way than tuna!

Salmon Salad

2 tablespoons of light mayonnaise

1-2 teaspoons of wasabi paste, to taste

6 oz can of Wild Alaskan salmon

1 teaspoon roasted sesame oil

kosher salt

black pepper

1. Mix mayonnaise and wasabi paste together in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Drain salmon and break up flesh with a fork in a bowl.
3. Add mayonnaise mixture and sesame oil to salmon and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix until incorporated.

Inside Out Salmon Sushi Roll

(Note: Japanese rice, nori, and black sesame seeds are usually available in Asian stores or the International section in grocery stores. Sushi rollers are available in Japanese markets orhere.)

2 cups cooked white rice (made from 1 cup uncooked rice)

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 sheets nori (dried roasted seaweed)

2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds (black or white)

Salmon salad (see above)

1 scallion, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise

1. While rice is cooking, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar and salt together in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Put freshly cooked rice into a large bowl and sprinkle with rice vinegar mixture. Mix with a wooden paddle or spoon while fanning the rice.
3. Cover a sushi roller with a piece of saran wrap. Orient the mat so that the long side is facing you. Place a sheet of nori on top.
4. Spread half of the sushi rice on top in a thin layer, using a spoon. Dip the back of the spoon in water to prevent rice from sticking while you press down on the rice.
5. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds on top. Flip over so that the nori is face up.
6. Spread of the salmon salad in center and top with green onion. Roll the sushi by first covering the filling with the bottom part of the sheet and rice and gently pulling towards you so that the roll is tight. Then slowly continue to roll while removing saran wrap. When you get to the top, wet the top inch of margin of the nori with a bit of water with your finger and finish the roll. The water will seal the ends together.
7. Cut the roll in half, then cut the halves into fourths. Make another roll in the same manner with the remaining salmon salad.

Yield: 16 pieces from 2 rolls.

By Melissa Iwai, Cross-posted fromThe Hungry Artist