Recipe Source: CHLOE TING
You’ve probably seen the popular tortilla hack on TikTok, also known as the cleverest way to wrap a tortilla! Now, this wrapping technique is trending again, but now a lot of people are using nori sheets instead!
Even though the word “nori” may be foreign to many, anyone who has eaten sushi or looked at ready-made sushi in a store is very likely to have encountered this traditional Japanese dish. Nori is a dark strip of dried seaweed usually used in wrapping “maki” or “sushi”.
What is Nori?
Nori is a Japanese word for dried edible seaweed. It is made of algae, which makes it an ultra nutritious superfood! A thousand years ago, the Japanese people ate nori as a thick paste until they developed a new way to preserve it. They applied a similar method to that of paper making, wherein they shredded the seaweed, shaped them into thin sheets, and dried them in the sun, resulting in paper-thin nori that can be ideally used in wrapping rice.
Why is Nori Good For You?
Nori is considered a superfood because it is a fat-free, alkaline food high in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. It is calorie-free and contains various vitamins (A, B, and C), minerals, and iron. It is a rich source of iodine, which is essential in hormone development and necessary for a well-functioning thyroid, a gland responsible for regulating metabolism, and reduced levels can lead to hypothyroidism. The algae used to make nori contains up to 50% protein by dry weight and all nine amino acids, which puts it on par with other vegetarian protein sources like tofu and eggs. A single sheet of nor contains the same amount of calcium as 20cc of milk or one egg.
The beauty of this sushi wrap is that it is super versatile, and you have the freedom to be creative and to choose whatever ingredients or fillings you like! You can use any sashimi or meat of your choice, or if you want it to be vegan, you can use marinated tofu or tempeh instead. The possibilities are endless!
How to Make a Nori Sushi TikTok Wrap?
Ingredients:
Nori sheets
Cooked Japanese rice
Salmon sashimi or canned tuna or any cooked meat of your choice
Sliced avocado or mango
Sliced cucumber
Shredded carrots or zucchini
Seaweed salad
Furikake or sesame seeds
Kewpie mayo or any brand of Japanese mayo
Sriracha (optional)
Soy sauce (optional)
Sesame Oil (optional)
Rice Vinegar (optional)
Sugar (optional)
Salt (optional)
Directions:
- Rinse the Japanese rice and cook it. Remember to cook with this ratio: 1 cup of Japanese ice is equal to 2 cups of water to make the rice soft and sticky.
- After the rice is cooked, make the sushi rice by adding rice vinegar, sugar, salt, or just sesame oil, or any seasonings you want to add. 1 cup of rice equals 1 tablespoon of vinegar, 1-2 teaspoons of sugar, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. If you want to use sesame oil, just add a tablespoon of it per cup of rice. You may adjust the taste depending on your liking.
- Mix the sushi rice and let it cool for at least 5-10 minutes.
- Use a pair of scissors to cut the nori sheet from the middle, bottom-up, and halfway to the center only.
- Place your 4 toppings of choice in each of the 4 square sections of the nori sheet. Add the extra seasonings of your choice like mayo, soy sauce, or sesame seeds.
- To fold, start with the bottom left corner. Fold it upwards, then fold it to the right, and finally hold it downwards.
- Cut your wrap into two halves (or not!) and enjoy!
- You can keep the leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days and just reheat them before eating.