Miso Butter Grilled Rice Balls

If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine and looking for a twist on the classic rice ball, then this recipe for Miso Butter Grilled Rice Balls is just the adventure your taste buds need. Combining traditional ingredients with a touch of fusion flair, these rice balls are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even a light meal. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe that blends the umami richness of miso with the comforting taste of butter.

Ingredients

To make six delightful rice balls, you’ll need the following:

For the Onigiri:

• 2 cups uncooked short grain rice
• 2 cups water

Miso Flavour:

• 1 tbsp miso paste
• 2 tsp mirin (a sweet Japanese rice wine)
• 2 tsp sake (Japanese rice wine)
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1.5 tbsp butter
• Garnishes: 1 tsp finely chopped chives, 1 tsp sesame seeds

Soy Sauce Flavour:

• 1.5 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp Everything Bagel seasoning
• 1.5 tbsp butter

Directions

1. Cooking the Rice: Begin by cooking the rice. Follow the instructions specific to your rice cooker to ensure perfectly cooked, sticky rice suitable for shaping.
2. Prepare the Miso Mixture: While the rice is cooking, take a small bowl and thoroughly mix the miso, mirin, sake, and sugar. This mixture will infuse the rice balls with a deep, savory flavor.
3. Shape the Rice: Once the rice is cooked, divide it into six equal portions. Using cling wrap, shape each portion into a triangular form typical of onigiri.
4. For the Miso Flavour:
   • Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the butter.
   • Place the rice balls in the skillet and grill them for about 1 minute per side.
   • Brush each rice ball with the miso mixture and continue grilling until each side is golden and crispy.
5. For the Soy Sauce Flavour:
   • In a different skillet, heat the vegetable oil.
   • Grill the rice balls just like with the miso flavor, but this time, brush them with soy sauce every time you turn them over.
   • Continue until they are crispy on all sides.
6. Garnishing: Serve the rice balls hot, garnished with chives and sesame seeds for the miso-flavored ones, and Everything Bagel seasoning for those with soy sauce flavor.

Nutritional Information:

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Calories: 249 kcal per rice ball
• Servings: 6 rice balls

Conclusion

This recipe for Miso Butter Grilled Rice Balls offers a unique and satisfying way to enjoy the traditional Japanese onigiri with a delightful twist. Whether you choose the deep umami of the miso butter or the savory tang of the soy sauce, these grilled rice balls are sure to be a hit. Enjoy your culinary journey into the fusion of Japanese flavors!