Gunkanmaki - Salmon and Avocado Sushi Battleships

Ingredients

• 4 sheets of nori (seaweed) 4 sheets of nori (seaweed)
• 2 cups (400g) sushi rice 2 cups (400g) sushi rice
• 4 tablespoons rice vinegar 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces (225g) fresh salmon, thinly sliced 8 ounces (225g) fresh salmon, thinly sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to the package instructions.
2. 2.
   In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and gently fold in the vinegar mixture. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature.
3. 3.
   Cut each nori sheet into four equal strips.
4. 4.
   Take a strip of nori and wrap it around your index and middle fingers to form a small cylinder. Wet your fingertips with water to seal the overlapping ends of the nori.
5. 5.
   Fill the nori cylinder with sushi rice, leaving a small space at the top.
6. 6.
   Place a slice of salmon on top of the rice, followed by a slice of avocado.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle sesame seeds over the toppings.
8. 8.
   Repeat steps 4-7 for the remaining ingredients.
9. 9.
   Serve the gunkanmaki sushi battleships immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Salmon — Ensure that the salmon is fresh and of high quality. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can briefly marinate the salmon in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and a touch of sugar before slicing.
• Avocado — Choose a ripe avocado that is slightly soft to the touch. To prevent browning, drizzle the avocado slices with a little lemon or lime juice.

Tips & Tricks

• Wetting your fingertips with water will prevent the rice from sticking to your hands while shaping the gunkanmaki.
• Experiment with different toppings such as marinated tofu, cooked shrimp, or cucumber for variety.
• Serve gunkanmaki with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for an authentic sushi experience.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the salmon and use additional avocado or other vegetable fillings.
• To save time, you can use pre-cooked sushi rice available at some grocery stores.

Serving advice

Arrange the gunkanmaki sushi battleships on a platter or sushi board. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and a sprinkle of chopped green onions for added freshness. Serve alongside soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for dipping.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the gunkanmaki sushi battleships in a circular pattern, resembling a fleet of sushi battleships sailing on the ocean. Use a decorative plate or sushi boat for an extra touch of elegance.