Ebi Nigiri - Shirmp

Nigiri means "squeeze" in Japanese. Nigiri is made be gently squeezing small amounts of sushi rice into small rectangular shapes, and topping them with bite sized pieces of fish or other foods. The definition of good nigiri is that it doesn't fall apart when you transfer it from the plate to your mouth. From "Sushi for Wimps" my favorite sushi cookbook! If you need a recipe for sushi rice, here's one from the same book: http://www.food.com/recipe/sushi-rice-522880. I often check out you tube videos to see how to form the sushi rice.

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Yields: 5 each

Ingredients

• 5  jumbo shrimp, raw and unpeeled
• 3  quarts water
• 1  cup rice vinegar
• 5  tablespoons sushi rice, already cooked and cooled

Directions

1. To boil and butterfly the shrimp. Remove the head of the shrimp and insert a long bamboo skewer through the middle - starting from the top and working it through towards the tail.
2. Use your thumb to press and flatten the center of the tail section, to allow more space for the skewer to exit.
3. Bring the water and vinegar to a rolling boil, add the skewered shrimp, and cover the pot.
4. Immediately remove from heat and let stand 3 minutes.
5. Remove the shrimp and let cool to room temperature.
6. Peel the shrimp and set aside.
7. Use the point of a sharp knife to slit open the stomach from the top to bottom, making sure not to cut all the way through.
8. Gently open the shrimp and flatten. Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
9. To make the Nigiri: make a small mix of water and rice vinegar for dipping your fingers inches This will prevent the rice from sticking to your hands.
10. Moisten hands in the water-vinegar mix and pick up a small ball of sushi rice in your right hand. Squeeze gently into a rectangular shape. Pick up and hold a butterflied shrimp in your left hand.
11. Bring the rice ball to the shrimp. Us the thumb and foreginger of your right hand to gently press in the sides of the nigiri, and use the thumb of your left hand to press it down at the bottom (of the upside down nigiri). Use your right hand to turn the pressed nigiri over in your left hand.
12. Use the thumb and forefinger to press in the sides, and two fingers of your right hand to press the shrimp and rice gently together topside.
13. Optional: slice a thin strip of nori, and wrap around the middle of the Ebi Nigiri. It's a pretty finishing touch.
14. Serve with traditional sushi accompaniments, soy, wasabi and pickled ginger.