1. Recipes

How to Make Jack O'Lantern Onigiri - A Step-by-Step Guide

Onigiri, also known as rice balls, is a popular Japanese snack that is not only delicious but also incredibly cute and customizable. With Halloween just around the corner, what better way to celebrate the spooky holiday than by making Jack O'Lantern Onigiri? These adorable and festive rice balls are perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your Halloween spread, whether you're hosting a party or just looking for a fun snack to enjoy at home. With a few simple ingredients and some creative carv...

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups Japanese short-grain white rice
  • ½ large cucumber with peel, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 1 sheet nori (dried seaweed), cut into strips
  • 3 ½ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste), or more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
  • Servings: 30
  • Yield: 30 onigiri

  • Pour rice into a large colander. Rinse under cold running water, stirring with your fingers, until water runs clear, about 5 minutes.
  • Set colander over a large bowl. Leave rice to drain, about 20 minutes.
  • Cut sides away from each cucumber round; discard seeded center. Cut sides into thin strips for the pumpkin 'stems'. Place cucumber strips in a bowl.
  • Cut 1/2 the nori strips into triangles to make the 'eyes.' Cut remaining nori strips into jagged 'mouths.' Place eyes and mouths in separate bowls.
  • Combine rice, 3 1/2 cups water, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and cover; cook until water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat but keep pot on the burner. Let rice stand, covered, until tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove rice from heat; stir in gochujang and turmeric until rice is uniformly orange. Cool rice until easily handled, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir 1 cup warm water and salt together in a shallow bowl. Line a platter with plastic wrap.
  • Scoop warm rice with a 1 1/2-tablespoon cookie scoop and drop onto the plastic wrap. Dip your hands in the warm salted water and roll rice into balls. Stick on 2 eyes and 1 mouth. Press 1 cucumber strip into the top. Transfer finished onigiri to another serving platter.

    • Nutrition

    74 cal.

    • Total Fat: 0g
    • Sodium: 238mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 16g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 0g
    • Protein: 1g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 3mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 24mg

    Categories

    Savoury recipes
    Rice recipes
    Halloween recipes
    Vegan recipes
    Japanese recipes