SUSHI CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Rinse rice under cool water until water is no longer cloudy and runs clear. Combine rice and water in a covered saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix vinegar, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Combine softened cream cheese and mayonnaise in a blender; process until creamy.
• Transfer cooked rice to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 of the vinegar sauce over the hot rice; mix gently. Taste and add more vinegar sauce if desired. Empty 1/2 of the cooked rice into a springform pan; press down gently to fill the bottom of the pan.
• Spread 1/2 of the cream cheese-mayonnaise mixture on top of the rice in the pan. Layer crabmeat, cucumber, avocado, and cold cream cheese over top, in that order. Spread the remaining cream cheese-mayonnaise mixture over top. Empty the remaining rice into the pan and press downwards until layers are firmly packed. Garnish with sesame seeds. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
• To serve, mix soy sauce, orange juice, and lime juice in a bowl. Dismount the sushi cake from the springform pan and serve it with the soy sauce.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, salt, and sugar; set aside. Place the water and rice in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, until rice has absorbed all water, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer rice to a large bowl. Stirring constantly, slowly add reserved vinegar mixture until fully incorporated. Let cool completely, stirring occasionally.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, chives, two teaspoons wasabi mixture, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature. Transfer to a nonreactive bowl, and add crab, shrimp, and one tablespoon ginger. Mix well to combine.
• Toast nori sheets to enhance their flavor: Using tongs, wave each sheet over a gas burner or Sterno flame, flipping and turning until crisp and darkened in color, 30 to 60 seconds; both changes are subtle, so watch carefully.
• Assemble cake: Place a nori sheet, shiny side down, on a dry work surface, and cover, using moistened fingers, with 2 1/2 cups rice. Cover with plastic wrap, level with rolling pin (remove plastic wrap), and brush with wasabi mixture. Place a nori sheet on top, and spread with one cup rice. Level with a rolling pin, and brush rice with wasabi mixture. Arrange crab mixture evenly on top; sprinkle with remaining tablespoon ginger. Spread with one cup rice. Place remaining nori sheet on top; cover with 2 1/2 cups rice, and level cake with rolling pin. Trim edges, using a wet and sharp knife, and transfer cake to a plate. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least two hours or overnight.
• To serve, slice cake crosswise into three equal pieces. Place on a platter, and garnish with pickled ginger, radish sprouts, shrimp, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with wasabi mayonnaise.