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Easy Ham and Cheese Lunchbox Sushi Rolls

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Quick and easy ham and cheese sushi rolls perfect for lunchboxes. Made with simple ingredients like sushi rice, ham, cheese, and nori, these rolls are sturdy, customizable, and kid-approved.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup sushi rice (uncooked)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 4 nori sheets (sushi nori)
  • 8 thin slices ham (black forest or honey ham)
  • 4 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese
  • Optional: thin cucumber strips, avocado slices, or cream cheese

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup sushi rice under cold water until water runs clear. Cook in a rice cooker with 1 ¼ cups water, or on stovetop: bring to boil, cover, simmer 18 minutes, then let sit covered 10 minutes.
  2. While rice is warm, transfer to a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt until dissolved. Pour over rice and fold with a slicing motion using a rice paddle or spatula. Fan rice to cool quickly.
  3. Lay bamboo mat on cutting board with slats horizontal. Optionally cover with plastic wrap. Prepare bowl of vinegar water, nori sheets, ham, and cheese.
  4. Place one nori sheet shiny side down on mat with long edge facing you. Wet hands with vinegar water. Spread about ¾ cup seasoned rice evenly over nori, leaving a 1-inch strip at top edge bare. Press rice down gently.
  5. Lay 2 slices ham across center of rice, slightly overlapping. Place 1 slice cheese on top. Add optional fillings if desired. Do not overfill.
  6. Using thumbs, lift edge of mat closest to you. Keep fillings in place with fingers. Roll mat forward, tucking nori edge under fillings. Apply gentle, even pressure. Squeeze mat gently along roll to seal.
  7. Repeat with remaining nori sheets and fillings. Wipe mat clean between rolls.
  8. Using a sharp, wet knife, cut each roll into 6-8 pieces. Wipe and rewet blade between cuts. Slice in one smooth motion.
  9. Serve immediately or let cool completely before packing into lunchboxes. Place in single layer to prevent squishing.

Notes

Do not overfill rolls to prevent tearing. Keep hands wet with vinegar water when handling rice. Let rice cool to room temperature before rolling to avoid soggy nori. Slice with a sharp, wet knife in one smooth motion. Store leftovers in airtight container with damp paper towel for up to 2 days. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham and cheese sushi rolls, lunchbox sushi, easy sushi recipe, kid-friendly sushi, ham and cheese rolls, sushi for lunch

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/easy-ham-and-cheese-lunchbox-sushi-rolls/