Sushi Bake
Sushi bake is essentially a California roll casserole in which the main ingredients of the popular sushi roll are layered, then baked for an easy comfort dish. This recipe uses imitation crab, but feel free to use real crab meat, or equal amounts cooked or canned tuna or salmon. Furikake, the Japanese seasoning mix, flavors the rice, while Kewpie mayo and cream cheese bind and add richness. (Both furikake and Kewpie mayo can be found at Asian supermarkets and online.) A final drizzle of sriracha mayo brings it all to life. Once baked, everyone can assemble their own atop seaweed squares with a variety of toppings. Don’t forget a side of tamagoyaki, and sweet and savory unagi, or eel, sauce for drizzling.
½ cup (4 ounces) cream cheese
1½ cups sushi or Calrose rice
¼ cup rice vinegar
1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
Toasted sesame oil, for greasing
1 pound imitation crab, thawed if frozen, finely chopped
½ cup plus ⅓ cup Kewpie mayonnaise, or regular mayonnaise
Sriracha, to taste (optional)
⅓ cup furikake rice seasoning
Chopped scallions, for topping (optional)
Diced avocado, sliced cucumber, nori sheets (cut into 3-inch squares) and unagi sauce, for serving (optional)
Step 1
Place the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and set aside to come to room temperature.
Step 2
Prepare the rice: In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse the rice until the water runs clear and transfer to a medium pot or saucepan with a lid. Cover with 2 cups of water and soak for 15 minutes. Bring the rice to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to low, cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the rice, until tender and the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. (Alternatively, you can use a rice cooker.)
Step 3
Meanwhile, add the vinegar, sugar and salt to a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer, stirring, until the sugar and salt dissolve, about 3 minutes. Transfer the rice to a large mixing bowl. Pour the vinegar mixture evenly on top and fold it into the rice.
Step 4
Heat oven to 375 degrees with the rack in the middle position. Grease the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with sesame oil. Add the crab, ½ cup mayo and sriracha, if using, to the bowl with the cream cheese, then mix well to combine.
Step 5
Transfer the rice to the casserole dish, using damp hands to spread it an even layer. Sprinkle on half of the furikake seasoning. Evenly spread the crab mixture on top, then sprinkle on the remaining furikake.
Step 6
In a small bowl, combine the remaining ⅓ cup mayo and sriracha, if using, for the topping. Spoon the mixture on the casserole, or transfer it to a small, resealable plastic bag and snip the corner to pipe it onto the dish.
Step 7
Bake, uncovered, until everything is gently bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with nori and toppings of choice.
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
599 calories; 36 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 17 grams polyunsaturated fat; 57 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 9 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 647 milligrams sodium