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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Makes 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked short grain sushi rice such as Calrose
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil for the dish
  • 4 tablespoons furikake seasoning divided
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 pound imitation crab flaked, or 1 pound cooked salmon, flaked
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha plus more for drizzling
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/4 cup eel sauce unagi sauce
  • 8 to 10 roasted seaweed snack sheets for serving

Instructions

  • Rinse 2 cups uncooked short grain sushi rice in a fine mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear, about 1 minute, to wash away excess starch.
  • Cook the rinsed rice with 2 1/4 cups water in a rice cooker or in a covered saucepan over low heat, about 18 to 20 minutes, until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
  • In a small saucepan over low heat, warm 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon fine salt, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve, about 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
  • Turn the hot rice into a large white ceramic mixing bowl, pour the warm vinegar mixture over it, and fold gently with a wide spoon until every grain glistens and no dry rice remains at the bottom of the bowl.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush a 9x13 inch white ceramic baking dish with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, then press the seasoned rice into the dish in one even layer that reaches every corner.
  • Sprinkle 2 tablespoons furikake evenly over the rice layer, covering the surface in a fine, even speckle.
  • In a second white ceramic mixing bowl, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese smooth, then stir in 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 pound flaked imitation crab (or 1 pound flaked cooked salmon), 2 tablespoons sriracha and 3 sliced green onions until evenly combined and streaked pale pink.
  • Spread the crab or salmon mixture over the rice in an even layer, all the way to the edges of the dish, so no rice shows through.
  • Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons furikake over the top.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges bubble and the top shows faint golden patches; for deeper color, broil for 1 to 2 minutes more, watching constantly so it does not scorch.
  • Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving, which lets the filling firm up slightly so it scoops cleanly instead of running.
  • Drizzle 1/4 cup eel sauce and a little extra sriracha over the top in thin lines, scatter the remaining green onion, and serve warm with 8 to 10 roasted seaweed snack sheets alongside for scooping.

Good to Know

Let the baked dish rest its full 5 minutes before you touch it. The filling firms up just enough in that time to scoop clean instead of sliding off the seaweed.