CALIFORNIA ROLL SALAD (for six)

For the salad:

1-1/2 cups long grain rice

¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (not seasoned)

¼ cup sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon sesame seeds (preferably unhulled)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled ginger

4 scallions, cut lengthwise into thin 1 inch strips (about ¾ cup)

½ cup finely shredded carrot

1 large seedless cucumber (about 1 pound), quartered lengthwise, cored and sliced

2 sheets nori (paper thin sheets of dried seaweed)

2 avocadoes (preferably California)

¼ pound surimi (mock crab legs) if desired, sliced thin

For the dressing:

2 teaspoons wasabi (Japanese green horseradish) powder

1 tablespoon hot water

2 tablespoons cold water

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons ginger juice (squeezed from freshy grated gingerroot)

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1.   Into a large saucepan of salted boiling water stir the rice and boil 10 minutes.  Drain rice in a colander and rinse.  Set colander over a kettle of boiling water (rice should not touch water) and steam rice, covered with a kitchen towel and lid, until fluffy and dry, 10 to 15 minutes (check the water level in kettle occasionally, adding water if necessary.)

2.  While rice is steaming, in a small saucepan bring ¼ cup vinegar to a boil with sugar and salt, stirring until sugar is dissolved, and remove from heat. In a dry small skillet, toast sesame seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until golden and fragrant and transfer to a small bowl.

3.  Transfer rice to a large bowl and stir in vinegar mixture.  Cool rice and stir in sesame seeds, remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar, oil, ginger, scallions, carrot and cucumber.  Salad may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.  Bring salad to room temperature before proceeding.

4.  Dry roast nori, 1 sheet at a time, directly above moderate heat (electric or gas burner), holding it at opposite corners and moving it back and forth, until it turns bright green, 30 seconds to 1 minute.  With scissors, cut nori into 2 inch long strips.

5.  Peel and pit avocado.  Quarter avocado and cut crosswise into thin slices.  Add avocado to salad with surimi if using and two thirds of nori strips and toss well.

6.  Make dressing:  In a small bowl, stir wasabi powder into hot water and stir in cold water, soy sauce and ginger juice. Serve salad drizzled with dressing and sprinkled with remaining nori strips.

from Gourmet Magazine, July, 1994