Kento Nanami
Culinary Explorer
Today I have a simple onigiri recipe for you and itās both tasty and very entertaining! These rice balls are a part of the Japanese lunchbox called bento, and they are incredibly useful. You can place almost anything in these rice balls; try changing the filling with grilled salmon, pickled plums, beef, pork, turkey, or tuna with mayonnaise. 

Ingredients:
Directions:
Prepare the Rice:
Shape the Onigiri:


Ingredients:
- 4 cups uncooked short-grain white rice
- 5 Ā½ cups water, divided
- Ā¼ teaspoon salt
- Ā¼ cup bonito shavings (dry fish flakes)
- 2 sheets nori (dry seaweed), cut into 1/2-inch strips
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Directions:
Prepare the Rice:
- Rinse the rice in a mesh strainer until the water is clear.
- Combine the washed rice and 4 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed.
- Let the rice rest for 15 minutes, then cool.
Shape the Onigiri:
- Mix 1 cup of water with salt in a small bowl to dampen your hands while handling the rice.
- Divide the cooked rice into 8 portions.
- Take one portion, split it in half, and create a small indentation in one half.
- Fill the indentation with a teaspoon of bonito flakes, cover with the other half, and gently press into a triangle shape.
- Wrap the onigiri with a strip of nori and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Repeat with the remaining rice portions.
Enjoy your Japanese Rice Balls!ā