CALIFORNIA AND MAKI ROLLS (JAPANESE SUSHI)

Steps:

• Squeeze the lemon juice over the avocado to prevent browning.
• Cover a bamboo rolling mat with plastic wrap.
• Cut nori sheets in half crosswise.
• Lay 1 sheet of nori, shiny side down, on the plastic covered mat.
• To make Califronia Rolls:.
• Wet your fingers with water and spread approximately 1/2 cup of the rice evenly onto the nori.
• Sprinkle the rice with sesame seeds.
• Place the second plastic covered bamboo rolling mat on top and flip the two over so that the rice side is down.
• Place 1/8 of the cucumber, avocado and crab sticks in the center of the sheet.
• Grab the edge of the mat closest to you, keeping the fillings in place with your fingers, and roll it into a tight cylinder, using the mat to shape the cylinder.
• To make Maki:.
• Spread 1/2 cup of the rice over the surface of the nori, leaving about 1/2-inch of nori on the furthest edge uncovered so you will be able to seal the roll.
• Press the rice down firmly but gently.
• Sprinkle sesame seeds on the rice.
• Place 1/8 of the cucumber, avocado and crab sticks in the center of the sheet.
• Begin rolling the edge of the bamboo closest to you, using the mat to press down on the sushi roll firmly but gently as you roll.
• The nori should stick to itself when the roll is complete; if it doesn't, use a cornstarch slurry to moisten it.
• Pull away the mat and set aside.
• Cover with a damp cloth.
• Repeat until all of the rice has been used.
• Cut each roll into 6 pieces.
• Serve with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.