Name: Spicy Tuna On Crispy Rice
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 9
Ingredients: 2 ½ cup cooked sushi rice (you can add 3 cups for thicker squares); 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tsp sugar; 4 oz sushi-grade tuna steak; 2 tbsp mayonnaise or Kewpie mayonnaise; 1 tsp Sriracha; 1 tsp soy sauce; 2 sliced jalapenos

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This recipe will become your new obsession – believe me! This is one of those dishes with which you will fall in love at first bite.

Crispy sushi rice topped with creamy soft tuna and a spicy kick coming from the jalapeno peppers – what’s not to love?

Once you try these, it will be hard to stop eating them. This recipe does require time to make because the sushi rice needs to rest in a fridge for 3 hours, but overall, it’s not a complicated recipe.

How To Choose The Best Ingredients

This recipe cannot go without quality ingredients. Some recipes may be pulled off without them, but not this one. You can’t just use any type of rice or any type of tuna.

It all must blend properly if you want astonishing results. Here’s why it is so important to have these exact ingredients:

Sushi Rice

Some claim there is no such thing as sushi rice and that it is just plain short-grain rice.

I started believing that, but in recipes such as this one, you can see the difference. When you compare these two, they have similarities; both types are white and short-grain rice, and both have a certain amount of starch.

I have also noticed that people recommend Arborio as an adequate substitute for sushi rice. However, when it comes to this recipe, I recommend that you stick with the sushi rice, as this is the very sticky type and will work the best.

Once cooked, cooled, and combined with seasoning, the rice is flattened and refrigerated for 3 hours. This will make sure rice has created a nice bond between the grains.

This bond is necessary, as you will be frying your rice. At that moment, all other types will fall apart, while the sushi rice will stay intact.

Quality Tuna

Choose sushi-grade tuna, which is safe to eat raw. The sushi-grade tuna is caught quickly, bled upon capture, gutted soon after, and iced thoroughly.

Once you have your fish, make sure you use it the same day. You can also use frozen tuna if it is sushi grade. Thaw the fish in a fridge overnight ad use it for your recipe.

Japanese Mayonnaise

Kewpie mayonnaise can be substituted with a regular mayonnaise. Kewpie mayonnaise has more umami flavor, which pairs with this dish, but if you do not have any, regular mayo will work too.

Condiments

This recipe is made with Sriracha sauce and soy sauce. Both bring unique flavors. The Sriracha will give a spicy kick, while the soy sauce adds saltiness. Do not skip these.

Avocado

This is not mandatory. You can either use these or not, but avocado brings extra creaminess. If you like a creamy texture, then add mashed avocado over crispy rice.

How To Make A Crispy Rice Base

This recipe would not be the same without the crispy base. Here’s how to make it perfect:

Rinse your rice until water is clear.
Place 1 cup of rice in a sauce pot.
Add 1 ½ cup water and set it over the stove.
Bring the water to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and place the lid on.
Cook the rice, covered, for 15 minutes.
Remove the rice from the stove, and leave it covered for 5 minutes.
Transfer the rice to a bowl and add seasonings. Stir well.
Layer a piece of plastic foil on a 9-inch baking pan.
Add rice and press firmly.
Cover the rice with the second piece of plastic foil and refrigerate for 3 hours.
Once cooled. the rice will stay compact and you will be able to fry it without breaking the rice squares.

How To Prepare The Spicy Tuna

This is extremely easy. Slice the tuna steak into small cubes. The small cubes will fit better on rice squares than the large ones. Combine the tuna with mayonnaise, Sriracha, and soy sauce. Stir it gently, trying not to squish the tuna.

How To Assemble

Once your rice squares are crispy, and the tuna is prepared, it is time to assemble the dish. As mentioned, you can add mashed avocado on top of your crispy rice.

Mash avocado with a bit of lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and smear over the rice squares. Place the tuna on top of the avocado mash and finish off with a slice of jalapeno pepper.