Sunday, July 05, 2009
Food, Recipes

On a roll

Mango lobster roll at Ra Sushi

Photos/Courtesy of Ra Sushi

Some of the most popular sushi rolls at Ra Sushi are the Mango Lobster Roll, New Zealand Roll, Yellow Monkey Roll and Crazy Monkey Roll. As it turns out, all of these rolls contain one common ingredient: mango. If you’ve visited a Ra Sushi location, you know that the restaurant is not limited to using only traditional Japanese-style sushi or Japanese ingredients. We offer progressive variations on sushi in addition to more traditional selections. By incorporating ingredients like mangos, we are able to appeal to a broader audience of diners who may not favor the “fishy” taste of some of the more traditional items. Although the population of sushi eaters is growing year by year and many are curious to try sushi, they’re not always brave enough to put something completely new in their mouths. Fruits and vegetables, like mangos, give new flavor to sushi for a sweet or tart taste rather than just a salty soy sauce flavor.

However, we adjust the amount of mangos so that its flavor doesn’t overwhelm the other ingredients. We’ve tested which type of mangos work for each particular roll. For example, we discovered that a sweeter type of mango goes best with smoked salmon and cream cheese.

Mangos are very versatile in their presentation as well; some are soft and juicy and other varieties are firmer. Depending on its texture, the fruit can be sliced thin to be put on top of rolls; cut into strips to roll with other ingredients; or diced to create a mango salsa.

Home cooks can find fresh mangos at grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market and can always substitute canned mangos if needed. Check out the many ways mangos are used at Ra Sushi to discover your favorite combination. Mangos have also made their way behind our bar—we even serve mango margaritas and mango martinis to wash it all down! SP
Tai Obata is the executive chef at Ra Sushi. 1080 Peachtree Street. 404-267-0114. 
www.rasushi.com.

Mango Lobster Roll

Makes 8 pieces


Ingredients:

• 3.5 ounces sushi rice
• 1 sheet sushi nori*
• 2 ounces lobster mix (see below)
• 1 sliced avocado
• 1 sliced cucumber (length-wise)
• 1 sliced mango (on top of roll)
• Kiwi-wasabi sauce (see below)
• Mango-tobiko sauce (see below)

Instructions:
Place nori on makisu (rolling mat). Add sushi rice, and spread evenly from edge to edge. Keep hands wet with water when handling the rice. Turn it over so nori is facing up. Place lobster mix, avocado and cucumber on nori and roll tightly with the makisu. Place the thinly sliced mango atop the roll/rice, and cover with Saran wrap. Tighten and shape the roll by using the makisu once again. Slice the roll into eight pieces, and then take off the Saran wrap. Serve with mango-tobiko and kiwi-wasabi sauce.

Lobster Mix

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lobster meat
• 6.5 ounces crab mix
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

Instructions:
Combine ingredients, and mix well.

Kiwi-Wasabi Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons wasabi
• 3 tablespoons wasabi oil
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ cup shallots
• 1 mustard leaf
• 3 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
• ¼ cup kiwi puree
• ¼ cup kiwi-lime sauce

Instructions:
Mix wasabi, shallots, mustard leaf and vinegar in food processor for one minute. Place mixture in a new bowl, and slowly stir in wasabi oil, olive oil, kiwi puree and kiwi-lime sauce.

Mango-Tobiko Sauce

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces mango sauce
• 2 ounces red tobiko

Instructions:

Combine ingredients, and mix well.

* Nori and other special ingredients can be found at any local Asian supermarket.