Oni Giri !!
(Japanese Rice Ball)

A quick simple snack or an easy side dish, my family loves Oni Giri! Just like a sandwich oni giri is a very versatile food. I use a mold as I'm no good at properly shaping it with my hands.

What you'll need:

• 
  
  5 cups cooked sticky rice (I use the California Rose brand, cooked in a rice cooker)


• 
  
  Oni giri mold or a small cup of water and a salt shaker


• 
  
  Sheets of Nori cut into 1" x 4" strips (seaweed sheets like used for sushi rolls)


• 
  
  1 can Tuna (or other filling like Refried beans, Salmon bits, or Azuki bean paste, ect.)


• 
  
  Cookie tray

While the rice is cooking you can prepare your filling. I used a simple Tuna with Mayonnaise mixture this time. (Adding other spices or hot sauce to the tuna would add some awesome flavor!) Cut nori into 1" x 4" strips

To use the mold:

• 
  
  While the rice is still fairly warm, scoop a small amount into your mold and press it down making sure there's an indentation in the center for your filling.


• 
  
  Place desired amount of filling into the center. (Be careful with how much filling you use as you don't want it to squish out to the sides of the ball to much)


• 
  
  Fill the mold the rest of the way up with another scoop of rice and press it hard. You want to make sure the rice sticks well together to keep the shape once it's out of the mold.


• 
  
  Push the ball out of the mold onto the cookie tray to cool


• 
  
  Repeat until rice is completely used up (makes about 16 balls)


• 
  
  Once the rice balls are room temperature wrap a nori strip around one of the sides and place on a plate to serve immediately. (Note: Do not put the nori onto the ball until you're ready to serve it, otherwise it will become mushy or sticky by the time it's eaten.) If your ball is to cool for the nori to stick, use a cloth damp with hot water, and pat the ball before trying to place the nori again.

To make without a mold:

• 
  
  Wait for the rice to be warm to the touch as you don't want to burn your hands!


• 
  
  Use water to moisten your hands then sprinkle a bit of salt over your palms.


• 
  
  Take enough rice in your hand to make the rice ball and roll it into a ball.


• 
  
  Press your thumb into the center to make it bowl like.


• 
  
  Fill with your filling of choice.


• 
  
  Form the rice back over the filling. (Use a little more rice to cover opening if needed) Carefully shape the ball into a triangle or you can keep it in the spherical shape. (If keeping the sphere shape wrap 1" wide nori strip completely around the ball like a belt.) Place on a cookie tray.


• 
  
  Wrap the nori right before serving.

What about the cute face?

You can buy special nori punches that have eyes, ect. Or if you're like me and can't afford all the fancy fun, a good ol' fashion pair of scissors and a steady hand will do you fine. Just cut the shapes you want out of the nori sheet and place them on the balls the same time and way as the nori strip.

**If you have extra, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and save in the fridge. Warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds, wrap with nori and it's ready to eat. (Store nori in a Ziploc bag at room temperature)