Don’t feel like going out to a sushi restaurant, but really want a dragon roll sushi? There’s absolutely no need to worry. You can make a delicious dragon roll at home with just a few inexpensive ingredients and some fundamental knowledge of sushi preparation.
Tempura shrimp, avocado, and cucumber are common ingredients in a dragon roll, which is then wrapped in nori and sushi rice. Unagi (grilled eel) slices and eel sauce are used as a finishing touch. The unique and delectable sushi roll that results from this blend of flavors and textures is a hit with diners all around.
Easy Dragon Roll Sushi Recipe
Dragon roll sushi can be improved by several variables. Fresh, high-quality ingredients make sushi rolls taste their best. For optimal results, use ripe avocados, crunchy cucumbers, and sushi-grade raw shrimp.
Sushi rolls need good sushi rice. It should be sticky and seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Tightly rolled: A well-rolled sushi roll will stay together and slice neatly. Roll the nori and filling into a cylindrical shape, squeezing out any air, using a sushi mat or your hands.
Dragon roll garnishes: Unagi and eel sauce enhance flavor and appearance. Use high-quality unagi and a tasty eel sauce to elevate your dragon roll.
Dragon Roll Sushi Ingredients
To make a dragon roll at home, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4-6 pieces of sushi-grade raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup of tempura batter mix
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 2 cups of prepared sushi rice
- 4 sheets of nori (dried seaweed sheets)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 4-6 slices of unagi (grilled eel)
- Eel sauce, for garnish
How To Make Dragon Roll Sushi From Scratch?
Start by preparing the tempura shrimp. In a large pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 375°F. Meanwhile, mix the tempura batter according to the package instructions. Dip the peeled and deveined shrimp into the tempura batter, making sure to coat it evenly.
Carefully place the battered shrimp into the hot oil and fry for 1-2 minutes, or until the tempura batter is golden brown and crispy. Remove the fried shrimp from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Next, lay a sheet of nori on a clean, flat surface. Spread a thin layer of sushi rice over the nori, leaving a 1-inch border at the top. Arrange the avocado slices, cucumber, and tempura shrimp in a line on top of the rice.
To roll the sushi, hold the fillings in place with your fingers and lift the edge of the nori closest to you. Using a sushi mat or your hands, tightly roll the nori and filling into a cylindrical shape.
Once the roll is complete, use a sharp knife to slice it into 8 equal pieces. Arrange the dragon roll slices on a plate and garnish with slices of unagi and a drizzle of eel sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
You can substitute cooked chicken or tofu for the unagi if you don’t have access to eel sauce, or leave it out entirely.
Remove the tempura shrimp and replace them with additional avocado and cucumber for a meatless dragon roll.
If you’re having difficulties giving your sushi the proper shape, a sushi mat can help. Lay the mat on top of the nori and fillings.
The Benefits of Making Dragon Roll at Home
Although there are many advantages to eating sushi at a restaurant, making it at home has its own set of advantages. One major benefit is reduced financial outlay. You may save money on sushi by cooking it at home instead of eating it out.
Another perk of creating your own sushi is that you may adjust the seasoning and addition of ingredients to suit your personal tastes. You can modify the components to fit your specific nutritional demands and tastes.
Making sushi at home is a great way to wow your friends and family with your culinary skills. Anyone can master the art of making sushi at home with only a little time and the right equipment.
FAQ – Dragon Roll Sushi
Can I use regular shrimp instead of sushi-grade raw shrimp?
Regular shrimp may be unsafe for sushi. Raw sushi-grade shrimp is safe. If sushi-grade raw shrimp is unavailable, use cooked shrimp.
Can I omit the tempura batter?
Dragon rolls have a crunchy, delicious tempura batter. Instead of tempura batter, sauté or grill the shrimp before putting them on the roll. The roll’s flavor and texture will alter.
Can I make the dragon roll in advance?
Fresh sushi should be consumed right away. You can prepare the dragon roll ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to roll the sushi. If left too long, nori may become mushy and difficult to work with.
Can I use brown rice instead of white sushi rice?
Brown rice is a healthier alternative to white sushi rice. Brown rice is denser and less sticky than white sushi rice, making it harder to deal with and less sticky in the roll. To keep the roll’s shape, add more rice. White sushi rice can also help the roll stay together.
Dragon Roll Sushi recipe
Ingredients
- 4-6 pieces of sushi-grade raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 cup of tempura batter mix
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cups of prepared sushi rice
- 4 sheets of nori dried seaweed sheets
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 cucumber julienned
- 4-6 slices of unagi grilled eel
- Eel sauce for garnish
Instructions
- Begin with tempura shrimp. Heat vegetable oil to 375°F. Mix the tempura batter per package directions. Coat the peeled and deveined shrimp evenly in tempura batter.
- Carefully throw the battered shrimp into the heated oil and cook for 1-2 minutes until the tempura batter is golden brown and crispy. Drain the fried shrimp on a paper towel-lined dish.
- Place a nori sheet on a clean, flat surface. Spread sushi rice over the nori, leaving a 1-inch border. Line the rice with avocado slices, cucumber, and tempura shrimp.
- To roll sushi, grip the fillings with your fingers and lift the nori nearest you. Roll the nori and filling into a cylinder with a sushi mat or your hands.
- Slice the roll into eight equal pieces using a sharp knife. Serve dragon roll slices with unagi and eel sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- If your grocery shop doesn’t carry unagi or eel sauce, substitute cooked chicken or tofu.
- Omit the tempura shrimp and use extra avocado and cucumber for a vegetarian dragon roll.
- Sushi mats can help you roll sushi. Place the mat over the nori and contents.
The dragon roll is a delicious and impressive sushi roll that is easy to make at home with the right ingredients and techniques. By following the step-by-step instructions and experimenting with different fillings and variations, you can create a wide range of tasty and creative sushi rolls to enjoy at home.
