How to make onigiri for an obento without using a rice cooker?

Question

since i just got my firsts bento box from a friend, i wanted to make onigiri, but i dont have a rice cooker!help!

Answer 1

You can make short grain (sticky) rice with a pot.  After it is cooked, you can then make onigiri.

Cooking short grain rice

Time Required: 35

Servings:  4

Ingredients

    * 2 1/4 cups Japanese-style rice

    * 2 1/2 cups water *the amount of water is just a little more than the amount of rice.

Directions:

   1. Put the rice in a bowl and wash with cold water.

   2. Repeat washing until the water becomes clear.

   3. Drain the rice in a colander and set aside.

   4. Place the rice in a pot or in a rice cooker.

   5. Add measured water.

   6. Let the rice soak in the water at least 30 min. One hour is ideal.

   7. If you are cooking the rice in a pot, cover the pan with a lid and bring to a boil over high heat.

   8. Once the water boils, turn the heat down very low and cook about 15-20 min. until the water is almost gone.

   9. Stop the heat and let it steam for 10-15 minutes before opening the lid.

Now that you have steamed rice, here is how you make onigiri (Japanese rice balls).

Ingredients:

    * 4 cups steamed Japanese rice

    * 8 strips of dried nori (seaweed)

    * Salt to taste

    

    For fillings:

    * ume (pickled plum) / grilled salted salmon

Preparation:

Grill salted salmon slices. After the salmon cools, tear it into small chunks and set aside. Cook steamed rice. Put about a half cup of steamed rice in a rice bowl. Make a dent in the center of the rice and place fillings, such as ume (pickled plum) and grilled salmon. Wet your hands in water so that the rice won't stick. Rub some salt on your hands. Place the rice in the rice bowl on your hands. Form the rice into a round or a triangle, by pressing lightly with your both palms. Wrap the rice ball with a strip of nori.

Makes 8 rice balls.

Answer 2

IIngredients:

    * 2 1/4 cups Japanese-style rice

    * 2 1/2 cups water *the amount of water is just a little more than the amount of rice.

Preparation:

Put the rice in a large bowl and wash it with cold water. Repeat washing until the water becomes almost clear. Drain the rice in a colander and set aside for 30 minutes. . Let the rice soak in the water at least 30 minutes.

Put rice and water in the pot. Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a boil on high heat. Turn the heat down to low and cook about 20 minutes, or until the water is almost gone. Stop the heat and let it steam for about 15 minutes.

Makes 4 servings.