Fun Salmon Hand Roll

• 1 (5 ounce) center cut salmon fillet, skin removed, finely chopped
• 4 teaspoons sesame oil
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
• 4 toasted nori sheets, cut in 1/2 lengthwise*
• 2 cups cooked Sushi Rice, recipe follows
• 8 thin asparagus spears, trimmed to 5-inches long, lightly steamed
• 2 cups short-grain sushi rice (recommended: Kokuho Rose)*
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1. *Can be found at specialty Asian markets
2. Serving suggestion: wasabi, sweet picked ginger, soy sauce
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped salmon, sesame oil, soy sauce, and mint leaves.
4. Place a sheet of nori, shiny side down, on a work surface.
5. Place 1/4 cup of the rice on the left side of the nori sheet.
6. Using wet fingers, form the rice into a 3-inch square, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
7. Place about 2 tablespoons of the salmon mixture, diagonally, in a 1/2-inch wide strip, on the rice, with the top of the salmon mixture facing the top left corner.
8. Place a spear of asparagus on top of the salmon.
9. Starting with the bottom left corner, roll the nori over the filling.
10. Continue to roll, ice cream cone-fashion, working towards the right corner of the nori.
11. Seal the edge of the hand roll with water or a few grains of the cooked rice.
12. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
13. Arrange on a serving platter and serve with wasabi, sweet pickled ginger and soy sauce.
14. Yield: 8 hand rolls
15. *Can be found at specialty Asian markets
16. Place the rice and water in a medium saucepan over high heat.
17. Bring the mixture to a boil.
18. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low.
19. Simmer for 25 minutes.
20. Sprinkle the vinegar over the rice and mix with a fork.
21. Transfer the cooked rice to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
22. Allow the rice to cool completely before using.

center, sesame oil, soy sauce, mint leaves, rice, shortgrain sushi rice, water, rice vinegar

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/fun-salmon-hand-roll-recipe.html (may not work)