East Bay Vegan Sushi Roll

A vegan sushi inspired by the East Bay Area, allows for creativity with local ingredients and flavors. I ate this deliciousness as a salad bowl the first time. Here's a recipe for a tasty East Bay Vegan Sushi Roll:

Ingredients:

- 1 cup sushi rice, cooked and seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt

- Nori (seaweed) sheets

- 1 ripe avocado, sliced

- 1/2 cucumber, julienned

- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

- 1/4 cup shredded carrots

- 1/4 cup alfalfa or broccoli sprouts

- Soy sauce or tamari, combined with sesame oil for dipping

- Pickled ginger, thinly sliced white onion and wasabi, for serving (optional)

- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare Sushi Rice:

   - Cook sushi rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, season with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Allow it to cool to room temperature.

2. Prepare Vegetables:

   - Slice the avocado, julienne the cucumber, thinly slice the red bell pepper, and shred the carrots. Set aside.

3. Prepare Nori Sheets:

   - Place a bamboo sushi rolling mat on a flat surface. Put a sheet of plastic wrap on the mat, followed by a sheet of nori, shiny side down.

4. Spread Rice on Nori:

   - Wet your hands to prevent the rice from sticking, and spread a thin layer of sushi rice over the nori, leaving a small border at the top.

5. Add Vegetables:

   - Arrange a row of avocado, cucumber, red bell pepper, shredded carrots, and sprouts along the bottom edge of the rice.

6. Roll the Sushi:

   - Lift the edge of the bamboo mat closest to you with your thumbs, and begin rolling the sushi away from you, using the mat to shape it into a tight cylinder.

7. Seal the Roll:

   - Moisten the top border of the nori sheet with a little water to seal the roll. Continue rolling until you reach the top edge.

8. Slice the Roll:

   - Use a sharp, wet knife to slice the sushi roll into bite-sized pieces.

9. Garnish and Serve:

   - Arrange the sushi pieces on a plate. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi on the side.

10. Enjoy:

    - Dive into your delicious East Bay Vegan Sushi Roll, savoring the fresh flavors and creativity inspired by the local ingredients of Hayward.

Feel free to customize this recipe with other fresh, locally sourced vegetables or add a unique sauce to enhance the flavors. The key is to incorporate elements that reflect the vibrant and diverse culinary scene of the East Bay Area.