Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe requires very simple ingredients such as beef, ric, mirin, soy sauce, and cornstarch.
- Beef is the key: Thin sliced beef is the main ingredient in this recipe as it gives rich and crispy flavor to the Nikumaki onigiri recipe.
- Healthy Option: Nikumaki Onigiri packs healthy ingredients that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Easy to make: To make this recipe you only need to shape rice, wrap them with lean beef, cook, and finally glaze. Your Nikumaki Onigiri will be ready in a very short time.
Introduction
Imagine biting golden-brown and crispy beef wrap packed with soft and seasoned rice. This is Nikumaki Onigiri. It is a Japanese cuisine that turns rice and beef into a tasty and flavorful meal. Nikumaki Onigri is packed with nutrient rich ingredients and is perfect for snacks or lunch boxes. These crispy beef wrapped rice balls are easy to make. It does not matter whether you are a seasoned chef or a complete beginner, you only need a handful of ingredients to prepare Nikumaki onigiri.
Nikumaki Onigiri Recipe
4
servings20
minutes15
minutes240
kcalKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
- Ingredients for Asakusa Nikumaki Onigiri
Cooked rice: 2 cups (Japanese short-grain rice)
Thinly sliced beef: 200g (sirloin or ribeye)
Cornstarch: 3 tablespoons
- For the Glaze:
Soy sauce: 3 tablespoons
Mirin: 2 tablespoons
Sugar: 1 tablespoon
Sake: 1 tablespoon (or water)
- Optional:
Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Shiso leaves (for garnish)
Step by Step Instructions
- Prepare the Rice: Take two cups of Japanese short grain rice and cook it. Then, mix 1 tablespoon of mirin and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce into the cooked rice. This gives the rice extra flavor. Finally, shape the rice into 6 small balls with wet hands.
- Wrap with Beef: Place the sliced beef on a cutting board and put the rice ball on one end of a beef slice. Roll the beef slice from the other end around the rice ball. If there is extra meat around the ball, trim it. To make the beef stick to the rice, coat the beef with cornstarch. It also helps it become crispy.
- Cook the Rice Balls: Take a pan and put 1 tablespoon of oil in it. Heat it over medium heat. Put the beef wrapped rice balls in the pan and cook each side of the beef balls for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn golden brown.
- Make the Glaze: Take a separate bowl and mix 2 tablespoons of mirin, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon sake or water. Pour this glaze mixture into the pan and let the beef balls cook in the mixture on low heat. During cooking, keep rolling the meat wrapped rice balls until they become thick and shiny.
- Serve: Take out your shiny and crispy beef wrapped rice balls and sprinkle sesame seeds on top of them. Serve them with your favorite sides and enjoy the meal.
Chef Recommendations
- Use thin beef slices: To get the perfect flavor and evenly cooking, use thin beef slices.
- Add flavor to rice: Add sesame seeds or shiitake mushroom to the rice to enhance its flavor.
- Serve Creatively: You can also serve the Asakusa Nikumaki onigiri by wrapping them in lettuce leaves or cutting them in half to show the juicy and tasty layers.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Sweet-Savory Glaze
- Adjust Sweetness: You can adjust the sweetness of your Nikumaki onigiri by adding sugar according to your preference. For tanginess, splash vinegar on your Nikumaki onigiri.
- Low heat: Keep the heat low after you add the glaze mixture to the pan. This prevents burning of your Nikumaki onigiri.
- Double Drip: You can also enhance the flavor of your beef wrapped rice balls by brushing them with extra glaze after cooking.
Are Nikumaki Onigiri Healthy?
Yes, Nikumaki onigiri is a healthy dish. Each beef wrapped rice ball contains about 240 calories, 30g carbs, 12g protein, and 8g fat. You can also make it more healthy by air frying the beef wrapped rice balls at 375°F for 10 minutes instead of pan frying. Also reduce the quantity of sugar in the glaze to make the Nikumaki onigiri more healthy.
FAQs
What kind of rice should I use for Nikumaki Onigiri?
You should use Japanese short grain rice for Nikumaki onigiri because it has higher moisture content which makes the rice sticky. This stickiness is important for making the perfect rice balls.
Can I freeze Nikumaki Onigiri?
Yes, you can freeze Nikumaki onigiri for up to 1 month. Let the Nikumaki onigiri cool down to room temperature and wrap them in plastic wrap and put in an airtight container before freezing. Reheat your frozen Nikumaki onigiri before serving.
