If you are familiar with sushi, then you know what Alaska roll is. It is easy to make, with simple ingredients that will delight your tastebuds.
Sushi is a Japanese cuisine. However, some countries have adopted the recipe and transformed it into something delicious and unique. In the United States of America, the Alaska roll is very popular. The state is famous for its variety of seafood, despite its harsh cold weather and semi-isolation from other states.
Therefore, here is everything you need to know about Alaska Roll and how to make it home.
What is Alaska roll?
According to Delish, Alaska roll refers to any number of rolls that have thin slices of salmon on the outside. Salmon is one of Alaska’s biggest exports. The Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea and the Beaufort Sea surround the state. This means there is plenty of seafood, particularly Salmons.
The Alaska roll is like the California roll, with a unique taste. Ingredients include sushi rice, nori (dried seaweed sheet) and salmon. However, note that the filling depends on the chef preparing the roll.
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Alaska roll sushi
The Alaska roll sushi was inspired by traditional Japanese sushi. It is almost always prepared as an uramaki style roll (or inside-out roll with the rice on the outside of the nori sheet and the fillings on the inside), with a piece of salmon covering the fillings. Note that salmon is the main ingredient.
How to make Alaska roll
Making Alaska roll is pretty simple. There are three steps to preparing this dish. Below are the step-by-step instructions to follow:
- Course: Main course
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Surimi, also known as imitation crab or you can use a real crab.
- 2/3 cup Sushi Rice dried
- 2 Tbsp. Sushi Vinegar
- 2 Nori Sheets
- 4 oz Smoked Salmon
- 1 Ripe Avocado
- 1 English Cucumber Sliced into 1/8 sticks
- 1 tbsp Mayonaise
- 1 Pinch Salt
- Lemon Juice
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Directions
Cool the sushi rice
- Wash the sushi rice by placing it in a colander and running water through it until the water is clear.
- Add the washed rice into a saucepan and pour 1 cup of water.
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Allow the water to boil and then reduce the heat to low. Let the rice simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is soft.
- Line a bowl or dish with parchment paper and pour the cooked rice into it.
- Mix the sushi vinegar into the rice and stir thoroughly until it is fully absorbed into the rice.
- Allow to cook before it is ready to roll.
Prepare the crab salad filling
Note: If you are using a real crab, you can skip this step. All you need to do is add the crab directly to the sushi roll. However, if you are using an imitation crab, take the following simple steps:
- Shred the imitation crab into a bowl with two forks.
- Mix thoroughly with the mayonnaise and a pinch of salt.
Time to roll
This is the main and hardest part. Take the following steps to assemble the Alaska roll perfectly:
- Slice the salmon into strips roughly 1/4 thick or even a little thinner. Make sure to cut enough to cover all your rolls.
- Fold the nori sheet into half. Then carefully tear along the crease.
- Divide the cucumber into half the long way. Then remove the seeds and cut each half into about eight pieces.
- Slice the avocado into 16 pieces and drizzle with a little lemon juice to prevent it from browning.
- Cut the cucumbers into strips that are as long as your nori sheet and about 1/8 inch thick.
- Cover the bamboo sushi mat with plastic wrap to prevent the rice from sticking to it.
- Next, place the nori sheet onto the plastic wrap with the shiny side facing down. Then press about 1/2 cup of rice onto the nori sheet in an even layer. To do this, wet your hands with water and a dash of rice vinegar to prevent it from sticking to your fingers.
- Gently flip the nori sheet over so the rice is facing down.
- Add the filling directly to the nori sheet with the rice on the outside.
- Add the crab salad mixture onto the nori sheet and spread evenly across the middle of the sheet.
- Then add the avocado slices and cucumber sticks horizontally along the nori sheet.
- Use the bamboo sushi mat to roll your sushi until it is completely closed. Keep in mind that your Alaska roll may not come out perfect the first time. But keep practising until you get the perfect role.
- Drape a piece of salmon over the top of the roll slightly overlapping each other. Then use the sushi mat to wrap the roll and press the salmon onto the roll so it will turn out as one roll.
- Use a sharp knife and cut the roll into 8 pieces. You can cut the roll in half and cut each half into four pieces.
- Serve with soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi.
Enjoy!
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