Nutty Walnut Rice Onigiri Lunch Box
Nutty Walnut Rice Onigiri Lunch Box
Nourishing Walnut Rice Onigiri Inspired by ‘Little Forest’
Imagine a delightful lunch box, just like in the movie ‘Little Forest,’ perfect for a sunny day outdoors. These onigiri, made with rich walnut rice, boast a wonderfully nutty flavor that’s simply irresistible. They make for a satisfying breakfast or a wholesome snack for your adventures. Let’s walk through the simple steps together!
Rice Cooking Ingredients- 2 cups rice (standard paper cup)
- 20 walnuts
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the ingredients for our flavorful walnut rice. You’ll need 2 cups of rice, measured using a standard paper cup, and about 20 fresh walnuts.
Step 2
Gently blanch the walnuts in boiling water for about 3 minutes. This step helps to mellow any bitterness and enhance their natural nutty aroma.
Step 3
After blanching, quickly rinse the walnuts under cold water to cool them down. Drain them well using a sieve. Now, it’s time to remove the walnut skins. You can use a toothpick or a pointed tool to carefully peel off the thin inner skin. (Pro Tip: While you’re peeling the walnuts, you can wash and soak the rice in the pot; this will save you valuable time.)
Step 4
Once the skins are removed, finely grind the walnuts using a mortar and pestle until they form a paste.
Step 5
Grind them until they reach a smooth, paste-like consistency. If you prefer a more pronounced walnut texture, feel free to adjust the grinding time to your liking.
Step 6
Place the soaked and drained rice into a cooking pot. Add the appropriate amount of water for cooking rice, then stir in the finely ground walnut paste and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Step 7
Using a spatula, gently mix the rice, walnuts, and soy sauce until everything is evenly distributed. Ensuring an even mix before cooking is key.
Step 8
Now, let’s cook the rice. Start with the heat on high for the first 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to very low for another 15 minutes, allowing it to simmer gently. Finally, turn off the heat and let the rice steam for 5 minutes to finish. Your delicious walnut rice will be ready!
Step 9
Voila! Your wonderfully aromatic walnut rice is complete. The soy sauce adds a savory depth, and the walnuts give it a beautiful, subtle hue. The aroma alone is mouthwatering!
Step 10
Gently fluff the cooked rice with your spatula, ensuring the grains are separate and well-mixed. This helps to evenly distribute the rich walnut flavor throughout the rice.
Step 11
It’s time to shape the onigiri! You can use a triangular sushi mold or a musubi mold. If you don’t have any molds, don’t worry – you can easily shape them by hand into lovely rice balls.
Step 12
(Optional) For an extra burst of flavor, I decided to add mentaiko mayonnaise as a filling inside my onigiri, creating a delightful variation of triangular sushi. Feel free to experiment with other fillings like tuna mayo or stir-fried anchovies!
Step 13
And there you have it – your beautifully crafted walnut rice onigiri!
Step 14
Adding a sprinkle of furikake (rice seasoning) elevates the flavor even further. You could also use toasted sesame seeds or seaweed flakes for added zest.
Step 15
Just like in the movie, why not pack a delightful walnut rice onigiri lunch box and head out for a picnic in the countryside? Create wonderful memories with loved ones over this flavorful and nutritious meal. This was Ppotddeung-i’s easy and delicious walnut rice onigiri recipe!
