Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado Recipe | Chocolate & Zucchini (2024)

It all started with this photo on Gena’s Instagram feed. Gena is the author of the excellent blog The Full Helping, and she has long extolled the virtues of the vegetable nori roll as a quickly and easily assembled snack: her site offers almost a dozen examples, including this latest version.

The process is not unlike that which leads to maki, but here you forgo the seasoned rice altogether — this saves time and effort, and also means you don’t have to plan ahead — in favor of fresh vegetables, lots of them.

I was so inspired by that latest shot that I went out and got some cucumbers and sprouts the very next day to make my own, and I have been weaving variations on that theme about twice a week since then — that’s how enthused I am.

Although Gena likes to apply a thick layer of some sort of spread — think hummus or cashew cheese — directly on the nori sheet, I start with the sliced cucumbers as I prefer my nori to stay as crisp as possible* — the drier, the crisper — and find it most pleasing to bite into the crunchy layer of cucumbers first.

My Take on Nori Roll

Having played around with various ingredients, I have now determined the foundation I like to build on (cucumber, avocado, sprouts, sesame), and will add whatever little things I have on hand — leftover chicken or fish, tofu, spread or dressing, crudités, greens, and herbs. I have a great fondness for the mango and jicama version I make as an affectionate nod to the maki served at Bob’s Kitchen.

These make for a lovely item to add to the mix when we’re composing a lunch or dinner from sundry elements (see “leftovers night” in my ). You could offer them as finger food as well, cut into maki-style slices, and I’ve been known to fix myself a nori roll as a refreshing afternoon treat, too.

* For optimal texture, I like to eat the roll the moment it is made, but of course it’s fine to let it sit while you make the others, or if you’re packing them for lunch at the office or a picnic.

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Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado Recipe | Chocolate & Zucchini (3)

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Cucumber and Avocado Quick Nori Roll Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Makes 4 rolls.

Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado Recipe | Chocolate & Zucchini (4)

Ingredients

  • 4 sheets nori seaweed (available from natural food stores and Japanese markets)
  • 450 grams (1 pound) cucumbers, thinly sliced with a mandolin slicer (I don't peel my cucumbers; see note)
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • ground chili powder (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced into thin wedges
  • 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) tofu, or cooked chicken, or fish (raw and super fresh, or cooked), cut into strips
  • long-stem sprouts or sprouted seeds
  • soy sauce, for serving
  • Optional additions

  • simple tahini sauce
  • raw cashew cheese or other spread
  • pink radishes, thinly sliced with a mandolin slicer
  • large handful of small salad leaves, such as baby spinach or baby kale
  • fresh herbs, especially shiso or cilantro
  • 1/2 ripe mango, sliced into strips
  • 1/2 small jicama, peeled and cut into strips

Instructions

  1. Have all the ingredients ready and portioned out into four equal servings before you begin, and have a small bowl or glass of water close at hand.
  2. Place a sheet of nori on a clean and dry cutting board, shiny side facing down and longest edge facing you.
  3. Starting from the left edge, arrange the cucumber slices in overlapping rows on the nori, leaving a 3-cm (1-inch) margin of uncovered nori at right.
  4. Sprinkle with sesame and ground chili powder, if using.
  5. If using tahini sauce or cashew cheese, drizzle or smear over the cucumber now.
  6. If using sliced radishes or salad leaves, arrange in a single layer on top of the cucumber now.
  7. Arrange the bulkier fillings -- avocado, tofu, sprouts, herbs, mango, jicama -- in an even, vertical pattern, about 5 cm (2 inches) from the left edge.
  8. Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado Recipe | Chocolate & Zucchini (5)

  9. Rotate the cutting board by a quarter of a turn counter-clockwise so the uncovered strip of nori is furthest from you. Using both hands, start rolling the sheet of nori from the edge closest to you, folding it up and over the fillings, then rolling it snugly away from you (see note).
  10. Just as you're about to reach the uncovered strip of nori at the end, dip your fingertips in the bowl of water and dab the nori lightly so it will stick.
  11. Set aside, seam side down, and repeat with the remaining ingredients to make three more rolls.
  12. Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado Recipe | Chocolate & Zucchini (6)

  13. Slice into halves or thick slices using a sharp chef knife. Serve with soy sauce for dipping.
  14. Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado Recipe | Chocolate & Zucchini (7)

Notes

  • The exact variety of cucumber matters little for this recipe. What's more important is to pick smaller cucumbers that feel heavy for their size and are nice and firm throughout -- older cucumbers start shriveling up from the tips. Before slicing any cucumber, give it a taste to make sure it's not bitter. If it is, it will probably be more palatable peeled.
  • I find it unnecessary to use a sushi-rolling mat here. Just use both your hands with your fingers splayed out to cover the width of the roll; you'll quickly get the hang of it.

https://cnz.to/recipes/vegetables-grains/cucumber-and-avocado-quick-nori-roll-recipe/

Unless otherwise noted, all recipes are copyright Clotilde Dusoulier.

Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado Recipe | Chocolate & Zucchini (8)

This post was first published in May 2014 and updated in August 2017.

Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado Recipe | Chocolate & Zucchini (2024)

FAQs

How to make nori not chewy? ›

Toasted. If you toast the sheets of nori it provides a crisp texture and adds more flavour (a delicious nutty taste). Simply spray both sides of the nori sheet with oil or moisten a paper towel with oil and gently wipe onto the sheet. Then either toast the sheet under the grill or over a gas stove using tongs.

How to make sushi nori rolls? ›

Spread 1/2 cup rice mixture on one nori sheet, leaving a 3/4-inch strip of nori on the long side uncovered. Place tuna and desired fillings along center of rice. Holding fillings in place in the center of the rice, and roll up bamboo mat, pressing gently, until rice and nori encircle the fillings.

How many calories are in an avocado and cucumber sushi roll? ›

Nutrition Information
Calories 148(621 kJ)
Carbohydrate26.9 g9%
Sugars2 g
Dietary Fibre2.6 g9%
Sodium265 mg12%
8 more rows

How to make nori crispy again? ›

if your nori sheets are limpy no longer crispy don't toss them away. all you need to do is to take two pieces or cut them into two if you need. then turn them with the rough sides facing outwards. next turn on your stove and slowly and carefully toast them lightly.

Do I wet nori before rolling? ›

Dip your fingers into the water and transfer a small portion onto the bare nori (This is a major difference between the Uramaki and the Hosomaki). Make sure to use just enough water to change the nori from being crisp to being damp. Quickly, use the same technique of rolling as the Uramaki.

What is the difference between sushi and nori rolls? ›

Nori sushi is a term used to describe sushi rolls made using nori. It is also used to describe the category of sushi rolls (vs nigiri or sashimi) – though the term “maki sushi” or “makizushi” is more commonly used for that. Nori Sushi is also the name of a chain sushi restaurant!

Are cucumber avocado rolls good for you? ›

As you can see, these tasty Cucumber Avocado Sushi Rolls are pack a good punch of healthy vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Is sushi healthy for weight loss? ›

Sushi is a nutritious dish with many health benefits due to its ingredients. It incorporates carbohydrates, lean protein, and fat. Sushi's low calorie count makes it suitable as a weight-loss-friendly dish. There are many types of sushi, some with more additives that may be unhealthy, such as deep-fried ingredients.

Should nori be refrigerated? ›

Refrigerated (Best All Round, Best Flavor)

First and foremost, storing nori in the fridge is your best bet. Make sure to press out the air before sealing your bag shut, and place that bag inside another. A silica sachet should be placed in with the nori to absorb excess moisture or condensation.

Why does nori get chewy? ›

The more water is left in the seaweed sheet, the harder it is to bite, the heat helps to get rid of excessive moisture. Unroasted nori is excellent for salads, rice dishes, and stir-fries. It has a stronger taste and a chewy, thick texture preferred by some but unsuitable for preparing sushi.

How do I make nori more pliable? ›

Toasting the nori makes it pliable and easier to roll. Keeping your hands moistened lets you spread the rice thin without it sticking to your fingers. Use fillings sparingly to prevent the rolls from bursting open. A bamboo mat lets you roll neat and even rolls.

How to make sushi seaweed crunchy? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly oil a baking sheet.
  2. Arrange nori smooth-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush olive oil over nori; season with salt.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until nori is dry and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes.
Mar 11, 2024

Why is my nori not crunchy? ›

If you choose to store it, however, know that it needs a dry environment to stay crisp and delicious. Nori can absorb moisture and as a result, it will become soggy and will seemingly melt and stick together. You don't want to eat that!

References

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