Pin Whimsical sushi boats crafted with fresh fish, sushi rice, and crisp vegetables, perfect for a playful appetizer or party platter.
Ingredients
- Sushi Rice: 1 cup sushi rice, 1 1/4 cups water, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt
- Fillings & Toppings: 100 g fresh sushi grade salmon thinly sliced, 100 g fresh sushi grade tuna thinly sliced, 1/2 avocado thinly sliced, 1/2 cucumber seeds removed thinly sliced, 4 sheets nori (seaweed) cut in half, 2 tbsp black sesame seeds
- Garnishes & Sail Materials: 8 thin slices daikon radish or carrot (for sails), 8 small bamboo skewers or toothpicks, 1 tbsp pickled ginger, 1 tbsp wasabi, 2 tbsp soy sauce (gluten free if needed)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat cover and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes.
- Step 2:
- In a small bowl mix rice vinegar sugar and salt until dissolved. Gently fold into the cooked rice. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature.
- Step 3:
- Lay a half sheet of nori shiny side down. With wet hands shape a small log (about 2 tbsp) of sushi rice and place it lengthwise on the nori.
- Step 4:
- Top each rice log with slices of salmon tuna avocado and cucumber as desired. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Step 5:
- Roll the nori around the rice and toppings leaving the top open to resemble a boat.
- Step 6:
- To make sails thread a daikon or carrot slice onto a bamboo skewer or toothpick and insert upright into each sushi boat.
- Step 7:
- Arrange sushi sailboats on a platter. Garnish with pickled ginger and serve with wasabi and soy sauce on the side.
Pin 
Pin Recipe Q&A
- → How do I prepare the sushi rice for the sailboats?
Rinse the sushi rice thoroughly until the water runs clear, then cook with water until tender. Mix in a blend of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt while still warm, and let it cool to room temperature before assembling.
- → What ingredients create the sails on the sushi boats?
Thin slices of daikon radish or carrot are threaded onto bamboo skewers or toothpicks to form sails, adding a whimsical and colorful touch.
- → Can these sushi boats be made gluten-free?
Yes, using gluten-free soy sauce ensures the dish remains gluten-free, suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
- → What alternatives can I use for seafood fillings?
For a vegetarian variation, replace fish with extra avocado, mango, or marinated tofu to maintain freshness and texture.
- → How do I assemble the sushi sailboats?
Shape sushi rice logs on half-sheets of nori, layer with fish and vegetables, sprinkle sesame seeds, and roll the nori around the fillings leaving the top open to resemble a boat. Insert vegetable sails upright to complete the look.
- → What tools are recommended for making sushi sailboats?
A rice cooker or pot, sharp knife, bamboo skewers or toothpicks, and optionally a rolling mat can help prepare and assemble these sushi boats effectively.