Simple and Delicious Inari Sushi (Aburaage Pockets)
A Relaxing Weekend Morning with Easy Inari Sushi
I used to make Inari Sushi often when the kids were in school, but haven’t had the chance lately! It’s been a while since I’ve made this. Let’s bring back those fond memories with this simple and delightful recipe.
Main Ingredients- 4 bowls of cooked rice
- 1 packet of seasoned fried tofu pouches for sushi (includes rice seasoning)
- 1 cucumber
- 1/4 carrot
- 200g ground beef or thinly sliced beef (bulgogi cut)
Seasoning & Others- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper (coarsely ground for extra aroma)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper (coarsely ground for extra aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumber thoroughly, remove the seeds, and finely dice it. Lightly salt the diced cucumber and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then, squeeze out excess water using a cloth or paper towels. This step helps retain the cucumber’s crispiness and prevents the rice from becoming soggy.
Step 2
Place the squeezed cucumber in a dry pan (no oil) over low heat and stir-fry briefly. This evaporates moisture, concentrating the cucumber’s flavor and making it more savory.
Step 3
Spread the stir-fried cucumber on a plate and let it cool completely. Cooling the ingredients before mixing them with rice prevents the rice from overcooking.
Step 4
Julienne the carrot into pieces similar in size to the diced cucumber. Blanch the carrots in boiling water with a pinch of salt for about 1 minute, then rinse them under cold water to cool them down.
Step 5
Similar to the cucumber, place the blanched carrots in a dry pan over medium-low heat and stir-fry until the moisture evaporates. This enhances the carrot’s sweetness and preserves its vibrant color.
Step 6
Spread the stir-fried carrots on a plate to cool completely, just like the cucumber.
Step 7
For the beef, use the thinly sliced bulgogi-style beef. (Ground beef can be used for convenience.) Place the beef in a dry pan and cook. Once browned, generously sprinkle with coarsely ground black pepper. No marinade is needed as we’re focusing on the beef’s natural flavor.
Step 8
Once the beef is cooked, let it cool slightly, then use scissors to finely chop it into bite-sized pieces. Chopping it very finely will make it easier for children to eat.
Step 9
All the ingredients are now ready! If your family members don’t prefer Inari Sushi, these prepared vegetables and beef can be served over warm rice to create a delicious ‘Three-Color Soboro Rice Bowl’.
Step 10
Let’s start making the Inari Sushi! In a bowl of warm rice, add the seasoning packet that came with the Inari Sushi kit and mix well. (You can add a little seasoned rice vinegar or mayonnaise to your preference.) Add the prepared diced cucumber, stir-fried carrots, and chopped beef. Squeeze out any excess liquid from the seasoning packet’s vegetable bits and add them as well.
Step 11
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly with the rice. The Inari Sushi filling is now complete! The combination of ingredients will create a rich flavor and texture.
Step 12
Gently open each large fried tofu pouch. Take a portion of the sushi rice mixture and shape it into an oval before carefully filling the tofu pouch. Stuff the pouches generously with the rice mixture to create plump and appetizing Inari Sushi. You can garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or a small piece of nori for extra flair!
