One of the foods I need to stay away from while pregnant is sushi.  A small price to pay for having a little miracle I know. But, it is one of things I am really missing. Yes, I miss having brie or the occasional glass of wine. I also miss my turkey sandwiches for lunch. I have also given up my morning coffee when I know one cup is okay. Not being able to have a spicy tuna roll or yellowtail scallion is really on my mind. I am always seeing picture of gorgeous sushi platters and being tempted with tartare. I feel there is absolutely no cheating with sushi because it is raw.

In my desperation I created this faux sushi bowl. This is effort to cure the craving in a safe way. I use basic components of a sushi roll minus the raw fish. Ingredients such as cucumbers, scallions, rice, and nori help create this illusion. Adding fish sauce to the dressing gives the dish a faint hint of fish that maybe could have been there!

Some of the ingredients may not be part of your general pantry items. I have listed them below with links so you can get an idea of what they look like and where to find them. Once you use these ingredients you may be finding they are your new favorite condiments!

Roasted Red Chili Paste

Furikake Seasoning

Nori

Cucumber Rice Sushi Bowl

ingredients

• 8 oz white rice, cooked according to package directions, set aside

• 1/2 cucumber, peeled and chopped

• 2 Tbsp scallions, chopped (divided)

• 1 sheet nori, crumbled

• 1 Tbsp furikake rice seasoning

dressing

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce

• 4 Tbsp fish sauce

• 3 Tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 1/2 Tbsp roasted red chili paste

• 1 Tbsp scallions

instructions

1. Cook 8 oz or 2 cups of rice according to package directions. Once done set aside. Meanwhile prepare the rest of the ingredients.

2. In a small bowl whisk together the soy sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, roasted red chili paste, 1 tablespoon of scallions.

3. Season the rice with the furikake seasoning and gently mix. Then add half the dressing over the rice and mix again.

4. Layer on top of the rice the chopped cucumbers, scallions, and crushed pieces of nori. Pour over remaining dressing.