Making Perfect Sushi Rice

Though making the rice for your sushi can be a bit of a process, I promise you it’s actually very easy. They is making sure you thou thoroughly rinse your rice. But we’ll get to that later on. Let’s start from the beginning.

Buy your rice. However, you want to make sure that the bag says Sushi Rice. (no, you can not use minute rice) Can’t find sushi rice in your grocery store? Then try looking for premium grade short grain white rice. It’s pretty much the same thing.

Measure out your rice. Basically you are going to want to use the same measurement of water that you use of rice.
2 level cups of rice : 2 cups of water – this makes about 5 to 6 cups of cooked rice
3 level cups of rice : 3 cups of water – 7 1/2 to 9 cups of cooked rice
4 level cups of rice : 4 cups of water – 10 to 12 cups of cooked rice

Preparing the Rice
First this is first. You must RINSE the rice.
Put your desired amount of rice into an empty pot, the inner pot from your rice cooker, or a glass bowl. Fill the bowl with enough cold water that you’ve covered the rice. I often fill the bowl halfway. Swish the rice GENTLY around with your hand. No smashing. Dry rice can break easily, and if this happens the finished product will come out too sticky which makes it harder to work with and not as pretty.
You’ll notice the fine rice flour start to billow around in the water leaving it very cloudy. Go ahead and pour out the water, and fill the bowl again. Swish gently, pour out.
You’re going to want to do this about 6 times or so. You want to get the water fairly clear. I say ‘fairly clear’ because you don’t need it perfectly clear, but about 6 to 8 rinses should do the job.
Once you have finished rinsing your rice, you’re going to need to let it soak for a little while.
Put your rinsed rice in whatever pot you’re using to cook it in. Add the cold water in the measurement stated above. Set aside (or if using a rice cooker set the pot inside the cooker but do not turn on or plug in) and let soak for 30 minutes.

Cooking The Rice
Let me start by saying that you DO NOT need a rice cooker to make great sushi rice. I was making sushi long before I went out and actually bought myself a rice cooker. Obviously the easiest method of the two is cooking your rice with a rice cooker, but don’t feel like you need to rush right out and buy in order to make great sushi.
So now, choose your method.

Stove top
or
Rice Cooker

While you’re rice is cooking, you’ll want to go ahead and Make the Rice Vinegar Dressing.
This is what gives your sushi rice that mildly sweet and slightly tangy flavor.

The Final Step: Turning Out & Finishing the Rice [see vlog below]
Can you believe it? You’re almost finished! Now it’s time to turn out your cooked rice, add your rice vinegar dressing, and end by cooling down your rice.



Now you’re ready to start making sushi!!