Feta and avocado. That was the gauntlet thrown down by fellow food bloggers Denise, Lazaro and Nancy about a month ago, and I have been thinking about it ever since. Those are two of my favourite ingredients and I often enjoy them together. It’s usually in the form of a salad or a veggie wrap and, as yummy as those are, it would have been a cop-out since I eat them so often. I wanted this to be a real challenge, and I did come up with some interesting ideas – peppadew poppers stuffed with avo & feta, souvlaki burritos and even (one of my favourite new ideas) bruschetta spread with avocado and topped with feta and sweet chili jam. I even made that one, photographed and ate it, but ultimately still wasn’t happy.
So today, the last day of the challenge, with my back to the wall, I raided the pantry, hoping for inspiration. I found it: my sushi mat and a pack of nori (seaweed wrappers) with one sheet left in it. Bingo. I have only made sushi once before and it was… well let’s put it this way: not good enough to blog about. But this time it worked – everything came together and the results were not only edible but really good. The flavours all work well together and the creaminess of the avocado is a nice contrast to the crunch of the peppers. Instead of soy sauce and wasabi, I served these with some sweet chili sauce I had in the fridge and that was divine. The sweet and heat really kicked it up a notch and was fab with the salty feta. I took a lot of pictures today and like pretty much all of them, so I’m presenting this as a photo essay below, followed by the recipe.
But first, I’d like to point out that there are two great prizes for this challenge. One is a copy of Denise’s gorgeous cookbook, ‘Quickies: Morning, Noon & Night’. I’ve been planning to buy it but now am hoping to win it! The other prize is a guest post spot on Lazaro and Nancy’s fantastic blog Lazaro Cooks!. I heartily recommend both the book and the blogs as required reading for foodies everywhere!
And to Denise, Lazaro and Nancy – I am grateful to you. It’s always great to have a specific goal to be working towards, a problem to solve. It makes you think outside your usual box, kind of like standing on your head gives you a new perspective. And now I have a new family favourite – and something to put in my son’s lunchbox that’s not his usual cheese and pickle sandwich!
And now for my entry: Mediterranean Sushi…
The essentials
Nori on its mat
Add rice…
…and fillings
All rolled up
And dressed up
Fancy lunchbox for a four year-old
Ingredients:
4 sheets sushi nori
Sushi mat
Sushi rice:
4 cups cooked white rice
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp mirin
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
Filling:
1 avocado
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 cup feta cheese
Method:
1. Combine the vinegar, mirin, sugar and salt and stir to dissolve
2. Mix into the cooked rice until evenly absorbed
3. Place a sheet of nori on the mat and spread about 1 cup of rice on it, leaving a margin on one end
4. Line a few pieces of avocado and each of the peppers along the middle of the rice
5. Top with a handful of feta
6. Start to roll from the end farthest from the margin, using the mat to keep the roll tight
7. Wet the margin with a little water before finishing roll
8. Using a serrated knife, slice the roll into 1-inch segments
9. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional)
10. Serve with sweet chili sauce or the traditional soy sauce and wasabi
Saha!
19 Responses to >Mediterranean Sushi
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>THese look definitely so intriguing! Avocado is not something I am used to. It's not very common herre in Turkey, so I'm always in search for ideas with avocado. Combining it with feta is a great idea. And making sushi with this combination sounds even greater!
>Hi Zerrin and thanks for your comment. I'm surprised you don't get many avocados in Turkey since they're a Mediterranean fruit. The combination with feta was the aim of the challenge designed by Denise, Lazaro and Nancy – there are certainly lots of great ways to put these 2 ingredients together. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with!
>What an interesting combination of flavors and cultures.
>now thats thinking outside of the box!! I had been thinking about a cheese for sushi, feta is such a good choice!!
thanks so much for sharing your creation!
>Never thought I'd envy a four-year old but I want his lunchbox!!
That is a grand entry for the challenge Ruby – love the Oriental touch and that black and white pic is tres chic!!
Thanks for taking the time to participate and, all the best!
>Ooooo…that is one lucky 4 year old…I want his lunchbox too! looks so delish!
>What a fabulous idea! So unique and creative, I would have never thought of such a combo, I bet this dish is among the winners! I love it!
>Thanks for all the comments and compliments! Belinda – you're right that it's a cultural mish-mash, and perhaps even more than is readily apparent. I've put Greek feta with South African avocado in Japanese sushi, nestled on a Venetian glass plate sitting on a Chinese placemat. Oh and served it with a Thai sweet chili sauce (not pictured). Phew!
>Update: The very deserving winner of the feta & avocado challenge was Jillyann, author of The Homegrown Gourmet. Check out her Avocado Fudge Brownies with Feta Cheesecake Swirls:
http://thehomegrowngourmet.blogspot.com/2010/06/second-contest-entry-avocado-fudge.html
The judges had their work cut out for them as there were several great entries, and I'm pleased at the result as Jillyann just hit it out of the ball park! But I'm also delighted that I was given a 'Special Mention' for Best Food Photography – thanks guys!
>Fantastic!!! Congrats on the photography mention, very well earned. This is a superb choice for these ingredients, love it, love it!
>Thanks Magic!
>I think the ultimate choice you've created for this challenge is truly unique! I've seen a few already…you are all so talented. Great encouragement from fellow foodies all over.
You did a fantastic job ;o)
I do love Sushi and now I can make it 'medi' style too.
Thanks for the inspiration and flavourful wishes, Claudia
>Wouahhhhhhhhhhh!!! I allow to take note of these excellent recipe(takings), I like very much this gene of cooking(kitchen)!!
I bought a book on the subject, but there is inside that receipts(recipes) with fish
Loloche
>Highly clever! GREG
>OH my! YUM! My husband and I just love sushi… totally loving this combo!
xxMK
http://delightfulbitefuls.blogspot.com/
>I adore sushi… I never would have thought to use feta! I think i have nori in my pantry right now, too!
(Oh, and I featured your recipe in the Spotlight today on Foodwhirl: http://foodwhirl.com/spotlight/spotlight-mediterranean-sushi)
>passing by to say I loved this entry for the challenge…tasty
sweetlife
>Thanks everyone for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
Dot – I'm honoured that you're featuring this on your site, thank you. I hadn't been there before so I just took a look and love it – it's bookmarked now!
>Love these! I made some fushion sushi with an Indian spin last year and it went down a treat as well.