Hey sushi lovers! I’ve been experimenting with making different types of sushi rolls at home, and I gotta tell you – spicy shrimp rolls are a total game-changer. Today, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about what goes into making these delicious rolls.
The Basic Components of a Spicy Shrimp Roll
A classic spicy shrimp roll typically contains
- Sushi rice (short-grain rice seasoned with rice vinegar, salt, and sugar)
- Nori (seaweed sheets)
- Cooked shrimp
- Spicy mayo sauce
- Optional fresh ingredients like:
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Micro greens
- Sesame seeds
The Star of the Show: Shrimp Preparation
When it comes to the shrimp here’s what you need to know
Best Types of Shrimp to Use:
- Pacific White Shrimp
- West-Coast White Shrimp
- U.S. farm-raised shrimp (more sustainable option)
How to Prepare the Shrimp:
- Cook shrimp in boiling water for about 2 minutes
- Look for a “C” shape – that means they’re perfectly cooked
- Immediately transfer to an ice bath
- Pat dry thoroughly (super important!)
- Chop into small pieces
The Secret Sauce: Spicy Mayo
The spicy kick comes from the sauce mixture
- Kewpie mayonnaise (Japanese mayo)
- Sriracha sauce
- Soy sauce or tamari (optional)
- Green onions (for extra flavor)
Pro tip: You can adjust the spiciness by changing the ratio of mayo to sriracha!
Making Your Own Spicy Shrimp Roll
Here’s a quick step-by-step:
- Prepare your sushi rice
- Lay out your nori sheet
- Spread rice evenly
- Add your spicy shrimp mixture
- Add your fresh ingredients
- Roll using a bamboo mat
- Cut into 8 pieces
Common Variations and Add-ins
I’ve seen lots of creative twists on the classic roll:
- Tempura bits (for extra crunch)
- Masago (fish roe)
- Cream cheese
- Spicy ponzu sauce
- Mango (for a sweet-spicy combo)
Tips for Perfect Spicy Shrimp Rolls
- Don’t skip drying the shrimp – wet shrimp = soggy rolls
- Use room temperature rice
- Keep your hands wet while handling rice
- Don’t overstuff your rolls
- Use a super sharp knife for cutting
Health Benefits and Considerations
Good stuff about spicy shrimp rolls:
- High in protein
- Contains healthy fats (from avocado)
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
Watch out for:
- High sodium content
- Calorie-dense sauces
- Proper food safety with seafood
Where to Find the Best Ingredients
Ya know what makes a huge difference? Quality ingredients! Here’s where I usually get mine:
- Asian specialty stores (for nori and specialty sauces)
- Local fish markets (fresh shrimp)
- Whole Foods or similar stores (fresh produce)
- Regular grocery stores (basic ingredients)
Final Thoughts
Making spicy shrimp rolls at home might seem intimidating at first, but trust me – it’s totally doable! Just remember to keep your ingredients fresh, your rice sticky, and your shrimp well-dried. The best part? You can customize it however you want!
Starting out might be a bit messy (my first attempts looked pretty funny ngl), but with practice, you’ll be rolling like a pro in no time. Plus, it’s way cheaper than constantly ordering takeout!
Got any questions about making spicy shrimp rolls? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’d love to help ya out! Happy rolling!
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& why everyone needs to journal!
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Hello friends! I’m drinking my rose matcha after a little bit of at-home yoga, which felt so necessary on my body. I’m experimenting with a new cottage cheese breakfast dish right now, and it’s making me excited to keep tweaking it and make it perfect. I’m picturing this healthy breakfast soufflé made with eggs, cottage cheese, and fruit, so I’m hoping I can make this vision come true.
I mentioned this in my stories earlier this week, but I’ve gotten myself back into journaling, and it is a welcome return, both for my mental wellbeing and preservation of memories. I journaled all through high school, into college, and for many years after and not only was it a great way for me to work through my emotions, I now have this amazing time capsule of how I was thinking and feeling during so many pivotal times of my life.
I’ve neglected my journal the past few years, but I decided it was time to bring it back. It always feels amazing when I’m done writing, and even though I’m in my early 30s and no longer an adolescent or in my more tumultuous 20s, there are still so many big moments and life changes happening all the time, and I want to have them documented. I also firmly believe every single person should journal to improve their mental state. There’s all this research showing that journaling can help with your overall emotional wellbeing, as it’s a great way to become an observer of your own thoughts and work through your emotions.
I made a homemade rose lemonade for my sister’s bridal shower over the weekend, and it was a hit! I used this rose syrup from Cortas and just used less simple syrup when making the lemonade, since it has sugar in it. It made a really cute pink lemonade with a perfectly balanced rose flavor! You could also use this in a coffee drink, homemade soda, etc. If you want a rosewater instead of a rose syrup (no added sweetener) this is the one I always use! I love putting it in my matcha.
I’ve been wanting to try a filtered shower head for awhile now, especially since I live in LA, and we are known for our hard water. Jolie sent me one of their shower heads, and I’ve been enjoying using it! It looks nice in our shower and both Grant and I feel our hair feels softer! We got the brushed steel color because it matches the rest of our bathroom.
I know unitards are super trendy right now, but I think they’re so cute, and anything that’s stretchy and comfy is a yes from me. I’ve been struggling to find one that fits correctly, but I finally landed on this Madewell unitard! It’s super flattering and cute, and perfect for lounging or yoga. It fits true to size and has some stretch! Also — I don’t know why the girl in the picture is wearing a tank underneath, but ignore that, haha. That’s not part of the unitard!
Hand rolls, also known as Temaki Sushi, are a Japanese dish made of nori sheets (seaweed), rice, and filling that are rolled into a cone shape. You can read more about traditional hand rolls/temaki in this blog post from Just One Cookbook!
I loooove me so some raw fish, but I know it can be hard to find for some people, so I wanted to make a hand roll with an ingredient most people can get their hands on: shrimp! I used the frozen Wild Caught Argentinian Shrimp from Trader Joe’s and tossed it in some spicy mayo for an (Americanized) sushi-esque vibe! The rest of the filling consists of just avocado, cucumber, and micro greens, which you can find at most grocery stores. I got my nori (seaweed wraps), at Whole Foods, but check your local Asian specialty stores for some as well!
For a more classic hand roll, you’re supposed to use short-grain sushi rice, which tends to be stickier. I just used my favorite white rice that I already had at home here, and it still worked well!
It took me a second to get the hang of rolling my hand rolls, but I used this video as a helpful tutorial for rolling.
Spicy Shrimp Spring Rolls
FAQ
What is in spicy shrimp roll?
A spicy shrimp roll typically contains cooked shrimp, a spicy mayonnaise or sauce, and often cucumber and avocado, all wrapped in sushi rice and nori seaweed.
Is spicy shrimp roll raw or cooked?
Typically, Cali rolls and any shrimp rolls are cooked unless specified in it.
What are hot and spicy shrimp made of?
Hunan hot and spicy shrimp are tossed in a peppery mix and then seared in a reach-for-the-fire-extinguisher-hot sauce of chiles, ginger, garlic, and shallots.
Is the shrimp in a shrimp roll cooked?
Once the shrimp are cooked, cooled, and cut into pieces, the rest follows standard lobster roll procedure: Fold the seafood with mayo, finely diced celery, chives, and lemon juice, then pack the mixture into buttered and toasted top-split buns.