Onigiri- Japanese rice balls.

I'm so excited about this healthful, flavourful number, all the kids have been literally jumping up and down for more!!! Not too, often i come across a recipe like this i don't have to 'tweak' a little for one reason or another. This one will go on the family favorites list! Even little Miss Lexy enjoyed getting covered in rice!




I stole this recipe from Yumi Stynes, I saw it a while back on Chanel Ten's 'Circle' here is the link:
http://ten.com.au/the-circle-onigiri-japanese-rice-balls.htm

i virtually followed the recipe, i did substitute a couple of things.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup black jasmine rice
1/3 cup black quinoa
1/3 cup red quinoa
1/3 cup white quinoa
1/3 cup brown rice
apple cider vinegar
1 cup short grain white rice (i used arborio- high starch- and all i had)
Nori sheets
Fresh ground salt

Method:

1. Soak all quinoa, black jasmine, brown rice, and a splash of apple cider vinegar overnight. (i actually soaked around 18 hours and got the most gorgeous little sprouts happening, which gave the end product a beautiful look!!)
2. half an hour before cooking throw in the white rice. soak.
3. rinse several times (and then fill the pot's water level to about 1cm above the rices).
4. cook on high, once is boiling like mad, turn it down, and simmer 10 mins.
5. take off heat and let it sit for 10 mins.
6. mould into whatever shape you like (you can purchase the moulds though) but i think we will mould a different shape every time! Fun!
7. salt to taste, cut nori to size and wrap.
8. serve! (tastes good with a bit of soy sauce too)
9. Optional extras / fillings:1/3 cup adzuki or mung beans added to the soak, tinned tuna, umeboshi plums, Japanese daikon pickles.

These are such a great all rounder, i made mine in the morning, as i sent some to school for lunches, they are a great snack, and great side dish/accompaniment to a meal. And they taste and look SO good :) the photos don't do them justice!