Healthy Smoked Salmon Sushi Pizza
This healthy Smoked Salmon Sushi Pizza is an un-fried version of the popular Canadian invention, sushi pizza. Also perfect if you don’t want to hand-rolled sushi. It comes together fairly quickly but cutting the pieces is key to a nice presentation. A sharp knife is key!
Servings 24 pieces
Ingredients
SUSHI RICE
- 1½ cups sushi rice
- 1¾ cups cold water
SEASONED RICE VINEGAR
- ¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
- 4 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
EASY WASABI MAYONNAISE
- ¼ cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon gluten free wasabi paste (see notes if using wasabi powder)
FILLING
- 24 thin slices of long English cucumber (or as many as needed to cover the pan)
- ¼ lb thinly sliced smoked salmon (125 g)
- 1 sheet toasted nori (see notes on toasting)
GARNISH
- ¼ cup finely chopped chives or green onions
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (two colours if you have them)
Instructions
MAKE SUSHI RICE
- Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear, about 1 minute. Drain well.
- In a medium pot combine rice and cold water. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat and cover, simmer 18-20 minutes.
MAKE SEASONED RICE VINEGAR
- Combine vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl. Microwave 30-45 seconds and stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- Transfer hot rice to a low, wide bowl. Sprinkle with seasoned rice vinegar and fold in using a wooden rice paddle to combine and encourage cooling. Cover with a damp towel if not using right away.
MAKE WASABI MAYONNAISE
- Combine mayonnaise and wasabi paste. Set aside.
ASSEMBLE SUSHI PIZZA
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with plastic wrap that generously hangs over the sides. Arrange cucumber slices in rows, slightly overlapping, to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Arrange smoked salmon slices over cucumber.
- Spread Wasabi Mayonnaise evenly over the salmon.
- Gently spread half the rice on top of the salmon. Sprinkle your hands with water and firmly press down the rice.
- Place nori sheet on top of then rice then top with remaining rice pressing firmly into the pan. Fold in sides of the plastic wrap, covering with more plastic wrap if needed. Place a second empty pan on top and fill it with full food cans to compress the rice. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- Unwrap and invert onto sushi pizza onto a cutting board. With a sharp knife cut into small squares about the size of the cucumber slices. Place on a serving platter.
GARNISH before or after cutting
- Sprinkle with snipped chives and sesame seeds. Serve with gluten free soy sauce or tamari.
Notes
Sushi Rice - Asian brands are typically labelled sushi rice, Calrose rice is a popular brand from California.
Sushi Rice is best made the same day.
Wasabi Paste - Mix 5 teaspoon wasabi powder with 3 teaspoon water in a small bowl. Stir and place the bowl upside down for 1 minute for maximum spiciness.
Toasted Nori - I hope you bought toasted nori sheets but if you couldn't buy them you can simply wave the sheet briefly over a gas burner or under the broiler.
Compressing Sushi Pizza - Two pans are better than one and this technique of weighing down the entire pizza is one of many reasons I always recommend buying baking pans in pairs.
Rice Cooker instructions - Cook sushi rice in your rice cooker as usual.
