Viral Sushi Bake

$- 2 cups sushi rice - 3 cups water - 1/4 cup rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons sugar - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 can (6 oz) crab meat or imitation crab, drained - 1 cup cream cheese, softened - 1/4 cup mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons sriracha (or more to taste) - 1/4 cup green onions, sliced - 1 sheet nori (seaweed) - 1 avocado, sliced - Sesame seeds for garnish When making viral sushi bake, choosing the right ingredients is key. Sushi rice is the base. It gives a nice texture and flavor. Make sure to rinse it well. This removes extra starch. Crabs add a rich taste. You can use real crab meat or imitation crab. Both work well. Cream cheese and mayonnaise create a creamy layer. They help bind all the ingredients. Sriracha adds heat. Adjust the amount to your taste. Green onions give a fresh crunch. Nori sheets add a nice touch and flavor. Don't forget the avocado. It adds creaminess and color. Sesame seeds are great for garnish. They add a nutty crunch. All these ingredients work together to create a tasty dish. Enjoy the process of gathering these fresh, quality items. {{ingredient_image_1}} Rinsing and Cooking Start by rinsing 2 cups of sushi rice under cold water. This helps remove extra starch. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Next, combine the rinsed rice with 3 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring this to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 18-20 minutes. The water should be fully absorbed when done. When finished, turn off the heat and let it sit for another 10 minutes. Adding Seasoning While the rice cools, mix 1/4 cup of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Once the rice cools slightly, gently mix this vinegar blend into the rice. This gives the rice its signature sushi flavor. Combining Ingredients In a large bowl, add one can (6 oz) of drained crab meat or imitation crab. Then, add 1 cup of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons of sriracha. You can adjust the sriracha for spiciness. Finally, stir in 1/4 cup of sliced green onions. Mix everything well until smooth and creamy. Layering Ingredients Grab a baking dish and spread half of the seasoned sushi rice evenly on the bottom. Next, scoop the crab mixture over the rice. Spread it out evenly to cover the rice completely. Finally, top with the remaining sushi rice. Smooth the top gently for an even layer. Baking Process Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the baking dish in the oven. Bake it for 15-20 minutes. The top should be slightly golden when it’s done. After baking, let it cool for a few minutes. This makes it easier to slice. Perfectly Cooked Rice To make perfect sushi rice, rinse it well. Wash it until the water is clear. This helps remove extra starch. The right amount of water is key. Use 3 cups of water for 2 cups of rice. After boiling, reduce the heat and cover it. Let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Then, let it rest for 10 minutes. This method gives you fluffy rice. Cream Cheese Softening Soft cream cheese mixes well. Take it out of the fridge ahead of time. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to blend with other ingredients. You can also microwave it for 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to melt it. Drizzling Sriracha A drizzle of sriracha adds a nice kick. Use it on top of the sushi bake. You can also serve extra on the side. This lets each person adjust the heat to their taste. Garnishing with Avocado and Sesame Seeds Top your sushi bake with sliced avocado. It adds creaminess and color. Next, sprinkle sesame seeds on top. They give a nice crunch and flavor. Serve it straight from the baking dish for a fun presentation. You can also add nori sheets for wrapping bites. Pro Tips Rinse Your Rice: Rinsing sushi rice before cooking removes excess starch, resulting in a fluffier texture and preventing it from becoming gummy. Mix Gently: When combining the vinegar mixture with the rice, use a gentle folding motion to avoid crushing the rice grains. Adjust the Heat: If you prefer a spicier bake, feel free to increase the amount of sriracha in the crab mixture for an extra kick. Serving Suggestions: Serve the sushi bake with additional nori sheets for wrapping and a side of soy sauce for dipping for an authentic experience. {{image_2}} You can switch the crab for shrimp or salmon. Both add a fresh taste. Shrimp cooks quickly and has a nice bite. Salmon is rich and gives a buttery flavor. For a vegetarian option, use tofu. Tofu absorbs flavors well and adds protein. Just cube it and mix it with the other ingredients. You can make your sushi bake spicy or mild. If you like heat, add more sriracha. You can also use other hot sauces for different tastes. For a milder dish, reduce the sriracha. Try adding a bit of teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savory twist. Soy sauce can also work well for a classic flavor. Play around with these to find your favorite mix! - Storing Leftovers: Let the sushi bake cool down. Cut it into squares. Place the squares in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. - Reheating Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sushi bake squares on a baking sheet. Cover them with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warm. You can also use a microwave. Heat for about 1-2 minutes, but don't overdo it to keep the texture nice. - Can You Freeze Sushi Bake?: Yes, you can freeze it! This works well if you have extra leftovers. Just make sure it's completely cool before freezing. - How to Thaw and Reheat: To thaw, move the sushi bake from the freezer to the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Once thawed, use the reheating instructions above. You can also bake it directly from frozen. Just add some extra time. Viral Sushi Bake is a fun twist on sushi. It combines sushi flavors in a baked dish. This recipe became popular through social media. People love making it for gatherings and parties. The mix of crab, cream cheese, and sriracha makes it tasty. It is easy to share and serve. Yes, you can prepare sushi bake in advance. Make the rice and crab mixture a day before. Store them in the fridge. When you're ready, layer and bake it. This saves time for your event. Just remember to let it cool before serving. Sushi bake pairs well with many side dishes. You can serve it with: - Edamame - Seaweed salad - Pickled ginger - Soy sauce - Extra sriracha These sides add variety and flavor to your meal. This blog post covered how to make a delicious sushi bake. You learned about key ingredients like sushi rice and crab meat, plus tasty add-ins such as cream cheese and sriracha. I provided step-by-step instructions to prepare, assemble, and bake your dish. Tips on cooking, serving, and storing ensure your sushi bake turns out great. You can even explore flavor variations and alternative proteins. Remember, sushi bake is a fun, easy dish to share. Enjoy making it for friends and family!$

A delicious and trendy sushi bake that combines crab meat, cream cheese, and sushi rice, baked to perfection.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 6

Ingredients

2 cups sushi rice
3 cups water
0.25 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (6 oz) crab meat or imitation crab, drained
1 cup cream cheese, softened
0.25 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sriracha (or more to taste)
0.25 cup green onions, sliced
1 sheet nori (seaweed)
1 whole avocado, sliced
to taste sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch, ensuring fluffy rice.
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed sushi rice and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for about 18-20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Once done, turn off the heat and let it sit for another 10 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Stir this mixture gently into the cooked rice until well combined. Allow the rice to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine the crab meat, cream cheese, mayonnaise, sriracha, and sliced green onions. Mix well until smooth and all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
In a baking dish, spread half of the sushi rice evenly on the bottom.
Layer the crab mixture over the sushi rice, spreading it out evenly.
Top with the remaining sushi rice, smoothing it out gently.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through and the top is slightly golden.
Once baked, remove from the oven, and let it cool slightly before garnishing.
Finally, slice the prepared sushi bake into squares, top with sliced avocado, sprinkle sesame seeds over the top, and serve with additional sriracha or soy sauce if desired.

Notes

Serve the sushi bake directly from the baking dish with a drizzle of sriracha and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. You can also serve it with additional nori sheets for wrapping individual bites.

Keyword bake, crab, cream cheese, sushi