Gimbap

Components

  • The rice:
    • Cook short-grain rice (Korean / Japanese rice)
    • Season 3 cups of cooked rice with 1 T sesame oil and 1/2 tsp table salt.
  • Protein options:
    • Cooked spam
    • Egg omelette
    • Chicken schnitzel / chicken katsu
    • Beef (bulgogi style)
    • Canned tuna with a little mayo
    • Seafood sticks
  • Crunchy vegetable options:
    • Danmuji (yellow picked radish)
    • Sliced cucumbers
    • Cooked carrots:
      • Julienne into thin sticks
      • Saute in a pan (medium-high heat) for 1-2 minutes. You want them al-dente (slightly softened but still retaining a crisp snap). Season lightly with salt.
      • If roasting in oven (worth doing if roasting other vegetables): brush carrot sticks with oil. Season lightly with salt. Roast in 180oC oven (160oC if fan-forced) for 15 minutes.
  • Other fillings:
    • Blanched baby spinach (300g)
      • Boil a medium pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil. May have to do in two batches if pot is too small.
      • Drop the spinach into the boiling water using tongs to push it down. Leave for 30 seconds. It should wilt and turn a bright green colour.
      • Drain the spinach run under cold tap water to stop it from cooking.
      • Squeeze baby spinach firmly with your hands to remove as much excess water as possible.
      • Mix 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 11/2 tsp of sesame oil in a small glass. Add to baby spinach and mix well.
    • Sliced avocado
  • The Wrap:
    • High quality dried seaweed sheets

Assembly instructions

  • Place a seaweed sheet down on a bamboo rolling mat. (Suggestion: cover the rolling mat with a suitable-sized snap lock bag to keep it clean)
  • Spread a thin, even layer of rice over 3/4 of the seaweed leaving the top 2 inches empty.
  • Place fillings neatly, horizontally across the centre of the rice.
  • Using the mat, lift the bottom of the seaweed and fold it over the fillings. Press firmly to create a tight cylinder.
  • Seal the top edge of the seaweed using some rice to glue it shut.
  • Optional finishing touches:
    • Brush the outside of the roll with a bit of sesame oil.
    • Cut the roll into pieces with a very sharp knife.
    • Sprinkle the gimbap with toasted sesame seeds.