Ingredients
1
cup water
3/4
cup uncooked sushi rice
2
tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
3
tablespoons mayonnaise
2
teaspoons finely chopped gingerroot
1
teaspoon roasted red chili paste
1
small English (seedless) cucumber
1
sheet roasted seaweed nori sheets (8x7 inch; from 1-oz package), cut into 8 rows by 4 rows
2
tablespoons sesame seed, toasted
1/2
avocado, peeled, cut lengthwise into thin slices
1/2
red bell pepper, finely chopped (or thinly sliced carrot or very small pieces of avocado)
Preparation
In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1 cup water and the rice to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Transfer to large bowl, tossing rice with chopsticks or 2 forks to cool slightly. Gradually add vinegar, tossing constantly. Cover bowl with damp towel; cool rice about 45 minutes or until room temperature.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together sauce ingredients. Cover; refrigerate until ready to assemble canapés.
Cut cucumber into 32 slices, each about 1/4 inch thick. Arrange on serving platter. For each canapé, place 1 piece of nori on each cucumber slice. Top each with about 1/4 teaspoon sauce. Scoop rice using 1 measuring teaspoon, pressing rice against side of bowl to pack into spoon and hold shape of spoon. Carefully remove rice from spoon; dip flat side into sesame seed and place, flat side down, on sauce. If necessary, carefully reshape rice with fingers. Top with bell pepper or other toppings (or a combination). Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours.
