Brock's Onigiri (Rice Balls) From Pokemon

If you have ever watched Pokemon you have probably wanted to try Brock's cooking (me too!). Here is the recipe for Brock's onigiri or "Jelly Donuts" (they are not jelly donuts XD).

Onigiri are savoury rice balls with various fillings and you can put anything you like inside, not just what we have used in this recipe. They are a fun and delicious snack and I hope that you try them and live all your Pokemon dreams.

Ingredients

-         2 ½ cups water

-         2 Cups short-grain rice

-         ¼ cup rice wine vinegar

-         2 Tbsp caster sugar

-         1-2tsp salt

-         Dried Seaweed for wrapping the onigiri

Fillings

-         You can use anything you like!

-         Umeboshi or pickled plum ( I really like this with the rice but it is an acquired taste)

-         125g Tinned Tuna, drained of excess liquid

-         2Tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise (or extra if you like a creamier filling)

-         Salt and pepper to season

-         You can also use a pre-mixed seasoning called Furrikake which gives a lovely flavour

Equipment

-         Saucepan and lid or rice cooker

-         Clean tea towel

-         Mixing bowl

-         Spoons, forks, fan

-         Plastic or clingwrap

-         Plates

First, we are going to wash the rice. Continue to rinse the rice with cold water, emptying the water and repeating until the water is clear. You can do this in a clear bowl to see that the water is clear before cooking. This removes all the excess starch from the rice and allows perfect rice. Then remove the water and place the rice into a saucepan or rice cooker.

To cook the rice place it into a saucepan and cover it with water. Then put the pan onto medium-high heat and lightly stir the rice until it boils so the rice does not stick to the bottom. When it comes to a boil, place the lid on top, turn it down to low heat and allow it to simmer for about 8-10 minutes

If you have a rice cooker, prepare the rice due to its instructions.

Whilst the rice is cooking prepare everything else.

For the fillings please use whatever you might like including curry, fish, chicken, vegetables, These are just what I wanted to use.

1. Umeboshi or pickled plum take them out of the jar and if they are not pitted gently squeeze the pit out. You can then cut these into smaller pieces or leave them whole for the filling.
2. For the tuna filling add the kewpie mayonnaise to the tuna. Now I have said about 2 tablespoons of kewpie mayonnaise but you can add more or less depending on your desired consistency. Then season with salt and pepper** NOTE** You can also add a bit of lemon juice to the mixture to make it zestier

For the rice seasoning

In a small bowl mix the rice wine vinegar, salt and sugar together.

Finally cut the dried seaweed into strips to hold the onigiri

Once the rice is finished cooking remove the lid and lightly stir the rice then, with a clean tea towel fold it in half and place it over the rice and place the lid back on for a few minutes. This gets rid of any excess moisture from the rice and allows it to rest. Then add the rice seasoning to the rice and stir it through, do this while the rice is hot to allow the rice to soak up the flavour.

Then place the rice onto a plate or cool surface and fluff it up with a fork and fan it to cool.

To assemble the onigiri have a bowl of cold water handy as they can get sticky. There are two ways to do this

The first way is to wet your hands with the cold water and grab a handful of rice, add a tablespoon of tuna filling or a few plums or any filling of your choice, cover with a bit more rice and then firmly press the rice into shape**. I have made a rounder shape for my plum filling and a triangle shape for my tuna filling. Then place a small strip of dried seaweed around the onigiri to finish it off to look exactly like they do in the anime!

The second way to shape the onigiri (a less messy way) is to take some cling wrap and add the rice to this followed by the filling and more rice. Then twist the cling wrap to apply pressure** onto the onigiri to shape it.

** You want to apply firm pressure otherwise the onigiri may fall apart**

I hope that you try these adorable little snacks! You can serve them straight away or if you are going on an adventure you can wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge until you need them.