California Sushi Roll Salad

Once again I've waited until the last minute to prepare for a potluck style meeting. 
You would think I'd have learned by now. Anyway, the theme again was Salads, and you know my rules:
1) I can't repeat a recipe with the same group unless it's been requested.
2) I won't do any of that deli counter stuff because I don't really know what's in it or how it was made.
3) It needs to feel original.
4) It has to be something worth sharing.

Now I'm not sure how this recipe developed...maybe desperation or that near-constant craving for sushi, but it was loved and has been added to the favorite list.


The main reason this worked as a last minute option was because I had about 4 cups of leftover brown rice from the night before. If you don't have rice ready, do not attempt to whip this up in a hurry. Save it till you have leftover rice on hand. The husband and I were able to chop and mix this together in about 20 minutes with help from some Iron Chef inspired music.


Sushi Roll Salad

 4 cups cooked brown rice
4 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 unusually large cucumber (or the equivalent), chopped
1 avocado, chopped
3 carrots, thinly sliced ( I cheated and used store bought sliced carrots, 3 handfuls)

8 oz imitation crab meat, chopped
Mix the salt, sugar and rice wine vinegar until it is dissolved. I like to speed it along in the microwave. Pour vinegar solution over rice, and stir until all rice has been covered. Layer 2 cups of the prepared rice in a clear bowl. Follow with shredded carrots, remaining rice, cucumber, imitation crab meat and top with avocado.

Wasabi Ginger Soy Sauce

1 tablespoon wasabi (or more if you like it crazy)

1 tablespoon crushed ginger

3/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
Blend all in a Magic Bullet (or similar device) until well combined. You could do this by hand but you open yourself up to extreme bites of wasabi or ginger. After it was well combined, I poured it into a leftover small mouth bottle. 

Spicy Sushi Sauce (aka Dynamite Sauce)
1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise
2-3 tablespoons Siracha hot sauce
Stir together...warn those that will eat it about the heat.

The sauces were easy and there is a bunch leftover for other meals. Really, the whole thing was ridiculously easy, and I'm looking forward to all the variations that can be done with this.