This recipe went through several incarnations before it came out perfect. The heat of the chile, the sesame, and the minty shiso leaves is amazing. Shiso is one of those ingredients, like lemongrass, that has no real substitute. The leaves taste a little like mint and look like lily pads. If you can’t find them in a specialty or Asian market, just buy a few from your neighborhood sushi restaurant. (That’s what I do.)
Recipe information
Yield
makes 18 pieces
Ingredients
Preparation
In a small bowl, stir together the chile, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Slice the yellowtail into thin, 2-inch-long strips. Lay a piece of fish in the palm of your hand and spread a very small amount of wasabi on the surface with your finger. Then dampen your fingers in a little water and grab about 2 tablespoons of the sushi rice. Cupping your palm, gently press the rice onto the fish using 2 fingers. Hand-sculpt the sushi into the shape of a small football. Place the sushi on top of a shiso leaf and wrap it around the sides, like a little lettuce cup. Garnish the sushi with a small amount of the red chile mixture using the tip of a chopstick.
