Tutorial 7.6 Mastering the Rainbow Roll: An Advanced Sushi Technique

The Rainbow Roll is a popular sushi roll in the United States, essentially a California roll topped with tuna, salmon, and avocado. This guide will walk you through the process of creating this colorful and delicious sushi roll.

Ingredients

• Sushi rice

• Nori (seaweed sheet)

• Cucumber

• Avocado (for inside and topping)

• Cooked shrimp (substituting for imitation crab)

• Tuna slices

• Salmon slices

Tools Needed

• 2 Makisu (bamboo rolling mats):

  1. Covered with saran wrap

  2. Uncovered ("naked")

• Very sharp knife

• Saran wrap

Preparation

1. Prepare a California roll base (with cooked shrimp instead of imitation crab)

2. Pre-slice tuna and salmon (2-3 pieces each)

3. Prepare thin avocado slices

Steps to Make a Rainbow Roll

1. Create the Base Roll:

   • Make a California roll using cooked shrimp, cucumber, and avocado

   • Set the completed roll aside

2. Prepare the Toppings:

   • Slice tuna and salmon about 1/8 inch thick, roughly the size of a nigiri piece

   • Cut thin slices of avocado

3. Add Fish Toppings:

   • Place slices of tuna and salmon on top of the roll at a slight angle

   • Add thin avocado slices on top

4. Wrap and Shape:

   • Cover the entire roll with saran wrap

   • Use the uncovered makisu to gently squeeze all sides of the roll

   • This helps the toppings adhere to the rice

5. Cutting the Roll:

   • Ensure your knife is extra sharp

   • Cut through the roll and plastic wrap

6. Remove Saran Wrap:

   • Place the saran-covered makisu over the cut roll

   • Gently squeeze to reshape

   • Slowly remove the mat; the saran wrap should peel off with it

Tips and Tricks

1. For the shrimp preparation, refer to the specific lecture on preparing shrimp for sushi

2. Keep fish slices about 1/8 inch thick for the best texture and presentation

3. Angle the fish slices slightly when placing them on the roll for better appearance

4. A very sharp knife is crucial for cutting through the plastic wrap cleanly

5. This technique can be applied to create various topped rolls - be creative!

Common Challenges

• Difficulty cutting: Ensure your knife is extremely sharp

• Fish not adhering: Gently squeeze the roll with the uncovered makisu

• Plastic not coming off cleanly: Use the saran-covered makisu to remove the plastic

Remember, mastering the Rainbow Roll takes practice. Each roll you make is an opportunity to refine your technique and presentation skills.