The Hand Roll Sushi Party

by ALEXA

Last weekend my sister and her beau treated us to an Asian feast. It was my first ever sushi hand roll party and all I can say is that I’m hooked! I’m not sure what part of the evening topped the other—all of us in the kitchen slicing, dicing and gabbing away or the rolling and eating part!

Gotta love a dude with skills in the kitchen. Here’s the beau mixing up some spicy tuna.

If you’re looking for an easy and engaging dinner party idea, look no further, throw a sushi hand roll party! Just toss some sushi rice, offer a few starters, set out some fillings, and leave the rest to your guests.

Marisa over at In the Kitchen with a Southern Sushi Chef has more great tips for throwing a sushi hand roll party including a shopping list for a party of 10. Stay tuned for a tasty spicy shrimp filling and a gluten-free (and eel-free) eel sauce—that sweet and tasty brown sauce I liberally dip sushi in.

The Starters

Miso Soup (don’t do soy? this broth is a winner!)
Pot Stickers (here is a gluten-free pot sticker recipe or maybe you can get these near you)
Edamame 

The Rice & Nori

Gently fluff 4 cups warm cooked sushi grade rice with 1/4 cup naturally gluten-free Marukan Seasoned Rice Vinegar (or make your own, here is my recipe). Seasoning the rice is optional.

Cut sheets of nori in half.

The Veggies

Shredded Carrots
Shredded Radish
Cucumbers
Avocado (ripe but firm)
Shiitake Mushrooms
Green Onions
Asparagus (blanched)
Daikon Sprouts
Takugan (pickled radish)
Watercress
Lettuce
Jalapeno
Whatever suits your fancy

The Protein

Spicy Tuna or Spicy Shrimp Filling
Smoked or Grilled Salmon
Sushi Grade Raw Fish
Cooked Shrimp
Cooked Crab (most imitation crab meat contains gluten—eeks!)
Tofu
Egg Omelette Slices or Tamagoyaki
Teriyaki Chicken
Cream Cheese Substitute (or cream cheese if tolerated)
Ground Peanuts

The Extras & Drizzles

Pickled Sushi Ginger
Prepared Wasabi
Toasted Sesame Seeds
Gluten-Free Eel Sauce
Chili Sesame Oil

Let Your Guests Have at It

Set out one or a couple of communal rice bowls. Arrange fillings on a platter and let guests roll their own hand rolls. Here is a how-to video so that you can give your guests some pointers. Have fun! We did!!!

Other Sushi Recipes from Lexie’s Kitchen

More Good Stuff

4 comments

Poha November 27, 2012 - 10:18 pm

This is a great! concept: to have this sense of togetherness: "… I'm not sure what part of the evening topped the other—all of us in the kitchen slicing, dicing and gabbing away or the rolling and eating part!" makes me feel happy, for us all! Thank you for the post. Great pictures!

Reply
Camilla November 30, 2012 - 5:18 am

I went to a sushi rolling party years ago, it became a little "technical" to roll those traditional tight long rolls after some sake – these hand rolls look like the perfect solution. And completely agree with you, it's the most fun when all hang out in the kitchen

Reply
Lexie December 4, 2012 - 4:44 pm

Camilla … yes, too technical is just too much for me : ) xoLexie

Reply
Cassie December 5, 2012 - 8:37 pm

Awesome post Lex! I agree that the family togetherness was a big highlight of the handroll sushi party – but the excellent food took a very close second. XOXO, your sis.

Reply

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