Springtime Sushi Nests

Ingredients for Springtime Sushi Nests

• 240ml Dashi

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 20ml mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)

• 1 carrot, peeled, cut into matchstick-size strips

• 120ml canned sliced bamboo shoots, cut into matchstick-size strips

• 2 large dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked in hot water 30 minutes, drained, stems trimmed, caps thinly sliced

• 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

• 1 large egg

• Pinch of salt

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray

• 6 asparagus spears, trimmed, cut into 1 3/4-inch pieces

• Sushi Rice

• 6 butter lettuce leaves

• 12 cooked large prawns, peeled

• 40g shredded red pickled ginger (beni shoga)

How to make Springtime Sushi Nests

Combine 240ml Dashi, sugar and 3 teaspoons mirin in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium-low heat. Add carrot strips; cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer carrot strips to bowl. Add bamboo shoots, mushrooms and soy sauce to cooking liquid. Cook until liquid is almost evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add carrot strips. Cool mixture completely.

Whisk egg, salt and 1 teaspoon mirin in small bowl to blend. Spray 9-inch-diameter nonstick skillet with nonstick spray. Heat skillet over medium-low heat. Pour egg mixture into skillet, swirling skillet to coat bottom evenly. Cook until bottom of egg mixture is set but not brown, about 45 seconds. Turn egg pancake over. Cook until egg pancake is set on bottom, about 20 seconds. Transfer to paper towel. Cool completely.

Roll up egg pancake, then cut crosswise into very thin strips. Toss with fingers to fluff egg strips.

Cook asparagus in medium saucepan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain. Cool asparagus in bowl of ice water. Drain well.

Toss Sushi Rice, carrot mixture and asparagus in large bowl. (Egg strips and rice mixture can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover separately and let stand at cool room temperature. Do not refrigerate.)

Line 6 bowls with lettuce leaves. Spoon rice mixture into leaves, mounding slightly. Garnish rice with egg strips, prawns and pickled ginger and serve.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.