Making Raw Shrimp Sushi at Home

Many people enjoy eating shrimp sushi when they dine at their favorite sushi restaurant. While the ambiance is often excellent, the price can be a tad high. That is why I decided to try to make my own raw shrimp sushi at home. I think I have perfected the techniques, and I want to share my ideas and recipe with you. 

Can you eat raw shrimp?

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, eating raw shrimp poses only a very minute risk for healthy individuals. After all, people have been eating raw shrimp for centuries. People who at the highest risk from eating uncooked shrimp are those who may have a compromised immune system including the elderly, pregnant women, babies and toddlers.

While raw shrimp can be eaten, it is important to buy the right type of shrimp, store it properly and prepare it using good techniques. That is why I decided to put together this tutorial.

Buying the Best Shrimp

If you have decided to serve raw shrimp, then you need to get the freshest shrimp possible. That usually means that the shrimp is still alive when you buy it. Look for shrimp that is translucent and shiny. You should notice very little odor when you sniff the shrimp. If you are forced to use frozen shrimp, then make sure to check the date that it was packaged. Use the ones packaged nearest to the day you are shopping and from a trusted source. Some have indicators built into the package, so always check these when present.

Prepare live shrimp as soon as you get home. If you cannot prepare it instantly, then store it in the refrigerator. Alternatively, if you have settled for frozen shrimp, then keep it in your freezer until you are ready to use it. If you notice ice crystals in the shrimp bag, then discard it.

What happens if you eat undercooked shrimp?

While most people eat raw shrimp without any ill effects, a very few people have been known to get food poisoning from it. Symptoms of eating undercooked shrimp can start from four to 48 hours after eating the shrimp. Most people just feel a little upset stomach and may experience diarrhea. Nausea and cramps may be present and some people vomit.

Others, however, may get additional symptoms including headaches, double vision, and muscle weakness. If you become unable to drink clear liquids or notice blood in your stool, then you should seek medical treatment. Otherwise, while you may feel miserable for awhile, you will live, so take a break and relax at home.

Amaebi Sweet Shrimp Sushi

In my opinion, the best shrimp to eat raw is amaebi shrimp. These shrimp taste best when eaten raw because they have a very sweet taste. Cooking these shrimp that are caught in the Canadian Pacific Ocean. All Amaebi shrimp start out as males, and they are best consumed before turning into females as they mature. When you are buying these shrimp at the store, avoid any that have black spots or where there heads are curling into their bodies as they are not as fresh as they should be to delight diners. As with all shrimp, they should be translucent. Therefore, make sure to avoid any that are pink in color. Since these shrimp are very tiny, they are often served two or three at a time.

Amaebi Sweet Raw Shrimp Nigiri Sushi

Preparing this sweet shrimp sushi at home is really a simple process. Most people prefer to serve them as nigiri, but you can also serve them as sweet shrimp maki.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sushi rice
• 1 cup ice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 24 – 36 Amaebi shrimp
• 1/2 nori sheet
• Fresh chives

Instructions:

1. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil
2. Put the ice in a small bowl and add 1/2 cup water
3. Use a sharp knife to separate the head and the body of one shrimp
4. Cut a slit down the back of the shrimp. While you will want to cut almost all the way through, be sure to not accidentally cut through to the other side
5. Take the shell off the shrimp making sure to remove the legs
6. Remove the vein from the inside of the shrimp
7. Drop the shrimp in the water
8. Let the shrimp boil for 30 seconds
9. Immediately, remove the shrimp and place in the ice water
10. After 30 seconds, remove the shrimp and lay on parchment paper
11. Continue until you have completed all the shrimp working one at a time
12. Pat all the shrimp dry using paper towels
13. Place the uncooked rice in a bowl and run water over it. Drain and repeat until the water runs clear
14. Place the rice and 1 1/2 cups cold water in a saucepan with a cover
15. Cover and bring the water and rice to a boil over high heat
16. Reduce the heat and cook until all the water has absorbed. This will take about 20 minutes
17. Place the rice in a mixing bowl
18. Add the apple cider vinegar and stir until well combined
19. Let the rice mixture cool for seven minutes
20. Divide the rice mixture into 12 equal servings while forming each into a finger shape
21. Place two to three shrimp on top of each finger-shaped rice
22. Place chives on the side of the shrimp
23. Cut the nori sheet into very thin strips
24. Tie a noni strip around each finger-shaped sushi

Shrimp Sushi Recipe

It is almost as easy to make sweet shrimp sushi roll at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 nori sheets
• 1/2 cup cooked sushi rice
• 24 to 36 Amaebi shrimp
• Water
• 1 cup ice
• 1/4 avocado
• ⅛ head red cabbage
• 1 tablespoon tobiko eggs

Instructions:

1. Peel and cut avocado into thin strips
2. Cut red cabbage into thin strips
3. Lay nori sheets on a bamboo mat with the noni’s rough side up
4. Bring one cup water to a boil
5. Place ice in a shallow bowl and cover with water
6. Cut the heads off the shrimp
7. Remove the shells and legs from the shrimp
8. Use a sharp knife to cut the shrimp open. Cut almost through to the other side of the shrimp
9. Remove the vein from the shrimp
10. Put one shrimp in the boiling water
11. Immediately remove it and place it in the ice water
12. Remove it from the ice water and place on parchment paper
13. Repeat until all shrimp have been dunked
14. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels
15. Add cooked rice on top of the nori sheets
16. Spread rice evenly leaving about 1 inch uncovered at the top
17. Evenly spread remaining ingredients on top of the rice
18. Roll the noni sheet with the bamboo mat
19. Allow the shrimp sushi roll to rest for ten minutes with the seam side facing down
20. Use a sharp knife to cut into eight pieces. Serve and enjoy

While eating out is fun, now that you know how to make sweet raw shrimp sushi at home, you can save your eating out for more extravagant things. Meanwhile, you can impress your friends with your ability to make this dish while making sure that your shrimp is safe to eat.