Adorable Sliced Ham and Seaweed Rice Balls for Special Occasions
Craft the Perfect Picnic Lunchbox: Cute Rice Balls with Sliced Ham and Seaweed, a Simple Breakfast Idea for Elementary Schoolers
Today, I prepared these rice balls as a breakfast treat for my daughters, Dua and Jua. With the unexpectedly clear weather, they turned out to be perfect for a picnic lunchbox! Made with finely chopped and stir-fried vegetables from the fridge, these rice balls are as visually appealing as they are delicious, sure to be a hit with kids. Adding sausage can elevate the flavor even further. By cutting sandwich ham in half and using strips of mini kimbap seaweed as a band, you can create cute, sushi-like rice balls. As the beautiful season beckons for outings and picnics, why not make these charming rice balls to add a touch of joy to your special days, just like we did at Ye-kkoom’s home!
Main Ingredients (Yields approx. 15 rice balls)- 1.5 cups freshly cooked rice (approx. 320g)
- 1/3 Tbsp salt
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 8 slices sandwich ham
- 3 sheets mini kimbap seaweed
Vegetable Stir-fry Ingredients- 55g onion
- 33g zucchini
- 20g carrot
- 1 sausage (optional, for added flavor)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 55g onion
- 33g zucchini
- 20g carrot
- 1 sausage (optional, for added flavor)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables and ham for the rice ball filling. Finely mince the onion (55g), carrot (20g), and zucchini (33g). Lightly rinse the 8 slices of sandwich ham under running water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 2
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced vegetables. If you like, you can also add a finely chopped sausage for extra flavor.
Step 3
Add a pinch of salt to the vegetables and stir-fry quickly for about 2-3 minutes until they are slightly softened. Be careful not to overcook them.
Step 4
Grill the prepared sandwich ham slices in the pan until golden brown on both sides. Once grilled, transfer them to a plate to cool slightly.
Step 5
Now, let’s cut the seaweed for the decorative bands. Take the 3 sheets of mini kimbap seaweed and cut each sheet vertically into 6 equal strips. This size is perfect for wrapping around the rice balls.
Step 6
Cut the grilled sandwich ham slices in half. These will be wrapped around the rice balls.
Step 7
In a large bowl, combine the 1.5 cups of warm rice (approx. 320g) with the stir-fried vegetables. Add 1/3 Tbsp salt, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds. Mix gently with your hands until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the rice and vegetables.
Step 8
Taste the mixture and add more salt if needed, according to your preference. It’s best to keep the seasoning mild, especially if it’s for children.
Step 9
Put on disposable gloves and scoop up portions of the rice mixture. Gently shape them into slightly elongated oval forms. Aim for a shape that the ham can wrap around without too much rice sticking out. Avoid packing the rice too tightly to maintain a tender texture.
Step 10
Wrap the halved grilled ham slices around the shaped rice balls, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 11
Finally, secure the ham with a strip of the cut seaweed. Since the seaweed is dry, it should stick well to the ham. The thin strips of mini kimbap seaweed create a neat and attractive finish without overpowering the rice ball.
Step 12
And there you have it – adorable and delicious sliced ham and seaweed rice balls! Perfect for packing into a lunchbox, these make fantastic picnic lunch ideas for elementary or kindergarten students. Make your special days even more memorable with these delightful treats for your loved ones!
