Homemade Sushi Rolls Made Easy

Continually coming up with healthy lunches for your child can be a hassle. They shouldn’t necessarily eat the same thing every day, but once something is a hit, it’s difficult to start the whole process over. Sushi can be the solution. Not only is sushi a healthy and filling meal, it’s easy to customize flavors with different fillings. Don’t be intimidated by the gorgeous rolls you see in restaurants — making your own sushi is quite simple, and you don’t even need any special equipment. If you’re concerned about raw fish in your child’s lunch box, there’s good news for you, too. Plenty of sushi rolls are designed with simple veggie and sauce combos for fillings, so you can get creative without risking stomach aches. Pack them all up in a bento lunch boxes from a reputable bento lunch box company, and it’s good to go.

How to Make Your Own Sushi

Making sushi requires a few simple ingredients: rice and water to cook it in, a few tablespoons of rice wine vinegar and sugar, a pinch of salt, sheets of dried seaweed (often called nori), and your fillings. Sushi rice is ideal, but you can use regular white rice as well, if that’s the only thing available in stores. For the filling, consider a mix of crunchy and soft veggies for some variety, like carrots, red peppers, cucumber, avocado, and other favorite foods. You can also add soy sauce, wasabi, ginger, and a little bit of seasoning for something special.

First, prepare your rice. Rinse it until the water runs clear, then cook until the water is absorbed. While the rice cooks, mix the rice wine vinegar, salt, and sugar in a saucepan and cook until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the cooled liquid to your rice and mix with a fork until the rice is sticky and dry.

To prepare your fillings, simply slice the veggies into thin strips. You only need a few strips for a sushi roll, so it’s best to select veggies that you can use for other meals later in the week. The thinner your slices, the more veggies you can pack in for extra vitamins and energy.

Now it’s time to fill your nori. You can use a bamboo mat if you have one, but a folded dish towel covered in plastic wrap also makes an excellent roller. Prepare your rolling material, then lay a sheet of nori over it. Spread a thin layer of rice over the nori, leaving some open space for sealing the roll later. Wet your hands with some water to prevent the rice from sticking to you as you go. Then, add a few veggie strips and any sauces you’d like. Roll the nori until the veggies are covered, then roll the towel or mat up, using your fingers to hold the roll in place. When you reach the end, use a little bit of water to seal the roll.

Before slicing the sushi into pieces, dip a sharp knife in water to prevent it from sticking. Then, cut the rolls in half and then into thirds for perfectly bite-sized sushi. Arrange the sushi in your bento lunch box for the perfect meal.

Packing Sushi

Sushi rolls make an excellent lunch, dinner, or snack. Consider making them a full meal with a range of simple side dishes. A light salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar makes for a healthy dose of extra vegetables, while a fruit can make for a pleasing contrast to the savory sushi. A yogurt dipping sauce can make fruit more exciting for kids. You can also supply fruit and vegetables cut into interesting shapes with small cookie cutters. For a heartier meal, a few dumplings or slices of hard-boiled eggs can do the trick. Pack everything up in a bento lunch box for a classic and portable meal.

Bento Lunch Boxes

A bento lunch box is the perfect way to pack your sushi meals. They contain multiple compartments, allowing you to easily store several foods in one box without a mess. This allows your child to bring just one box to and from school, decreasing the likelihood of losing a box and cutting down on washing and storage time later. Kangovou’s bento lunch boxes come in two sizes. They’re made of stainless steel and BPA-free plastic, ensuring that your child’s lunch is as safe as it is nutritious. The boxes are double walled, keeping foods at the proper temperature without transferring the temperature to the outside. Consider purchasing your own from a bento lunch box company like Kangovou to pack beautiful meals without any extra hassle. Visit Kangovou.com for more information about the company’s bento lunch boxes and more ideas for fun, healthy school lunches.