Korean-Style Vegetarian Rice Balls — A Light & Easy Post-Friendly Snack

Korean-Style Vegetarian Rice Balls — A Light & Easy Post-Friendly Snack

These rice balls make fasting easier and are a Korean vegetarian twist on sushi — a picnic favorite in Korea!

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🍚 Ingredients (Makes about 20 balls)

Rice

• 1 cup sushi rice
• 1 cup water
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt

Vegetables & Seasoning

• ¼ head broccoli (~150-200 g)
• 1 small carrot
• 4-5 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oil
• Pepper to taste

Garnish & Extras

• 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1 sheet nori seaweed
• 1 green onion (or equivalent chives)
• ¼ tsp toasted sesame oil

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🔪 Preparation Steps

1. Cook the rice:
   Prepare sushi rice following your preferred method or similar to the instructions in the previous recipe (half portion).
2. Soak mushrooms:
   Cover shiitake mushrooms with hot water, place a plate on top to keep submerged, and let hydrate until ready to use.
3. Prep vegetables:
   Grate the carrot. Finely chop broccoli florets (no need to cut stems). Drain mushrooms and finely mince.
4. Toast sesame seeds:
   In a dry pan, toast sesame seeds until lightly browned and fragrant.
5. Grind nori:
   Using a coffee grinder or blender, grind the nori sheet to a fine powder.
6. Sauté vegetables:
   In a pan, sauté carrot, mushrooms, and broccoli for 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Season with pepper and soy sauce. Add chopped green onion and stir. Remove from heat and taste — adjust salt if needed.
7. Mix rice and veggies:
   Combine cooked rice, vegetables, half the toasted sesame seeds, half the ground nori, and sesame oil. Mix gently.
8. Form rice balls:
   Place a sheet of plastic wrap on a cup. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of rice mixture into the center. Gather the edges of the plastic wrap and squeeze tightly to remove air, then twist the ends to form a ball shape. Press firmly to compact. Tip: Using plastic gloves helps handle sticky rice better.
9. Set & coat:
   Let the formed balls rest in the plastic wrap for at least 30 seconds to firm up. For quicker prep, form balls on multiple sheets and let them rest alternately. Remove the balls gently from the wrap and optionally roll one side in remaining toasted sesame seeds or nori powder for extra texture and flavor.

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

• Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• Perfect picnic food or light snack.
• Enjoy with soy sauce or pickled ginger on the side for added zest.