Setsubun and Eho-maki makizushi

Setsubun is the Day before the beginning of spring in Japan (2012, it is February 3rd)
It is known as the bean throwing festival, where roasted soybeans are thrown either out the door, or at a family member wearing a devil mask , all while chanting `Demons out! Luck in!`

These ones are candied and for eating, unlike the throwing ones which are just plain. But tasty as well! 

 We also make a roll of uncut sushi called makizushi and eat the entire thing without talking, and while facing the yearly lucky compass direction.
So, lets make makizushi!!!!!!!!!!!!
youll need:
sushi mat
japanese rice
rice vinegar
sugar
nori seaweed 
whatever fillings you want


I did dried Kanpyo gourd and dried shiitake mushrooms. Both were re-hydrated overnight. Then, using the water they were brought back to life with, I added 4 tablespoons of soysauce, 3 tablespoons of sake, and 1 tablespoon of sugar to them and put them into a pot. Slowly boil until no liquid remains and they are soft.

 I also wanted egg in mine! make it like an omelet, but before cooking, add about two teaspoons of sugar to make them fluffy.

 For an entire rice cooker worth of rice, I mixed in about 4 tablespoons vingegar, 3 tablespoons of sugar.

 Cut it in!

 Lay out aaaaaal the ingredients. 

 Spread the rice across the nori , which is on the sushi mat. Using a spatula, make an indentation in the middle. Be sure to leave the top bit of the nori un-riced.

 Put your first filling in the indentation. I did shiitake. 

 Layer the fillings...

 Roll it up while squeezing gently to keep it together.

 It should look like this, and its ok to have it sticking out the end.

Now, you either eat the entire roll as is in silence while facing the NNW, or cut with a sharp knife, dipping the knife into vinegar between each slice.




You can get creative with the fillings. Fried SPAM and mayo.... cat food and cucumbers..... this is really fun to do!