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Crispy Rice with Trout Tartare
A Nikkei-style appetizer of pressed and pan-fried sushi rice squares, topped with a spicy trout (or salmon) tartare, cream cheese, avocado, pickled aji limo, and curled scallion.
smart_display Published 2026-07-17
download Extracted 2026-07-19
Ingredients
Assembly
- as needed butter (for pan-frying the rice squares; oil can be substituted)
- as needed cream cheese (spread lightly on the fried rice squares)
- as needed avocado (sliced or mashed lightly onto the rice squares)
Garnish
- as needed scallion (trimmed, halved, folded and sliced very thin, then curled in ice water 5-10 minutes)
- a touch ice (for curling the scallion in water)
- as needed toasted sesame seeds
- a touch sesame oil
Pickled Aji Limo
- as needed aji limo pepper (sliced very thin)
- as needed white vinegar
- 3 tsp sugar
- a splash filtered water (to soften the sharpness of the vinegar)
Rice Seasoning
- 0.25 cup white vinegar (rice or apple vinegar can be substituted)
- 2 tbsp white sugar (dissolved into the vinegar)
- 0.5 tsp salt (dissolved into the vinegar mixture)
Sushi Rice
- 2 cups sushi rice (rinsed 4-5 times until water runs almost clear)
- 2 cups water (same quantity as the rice)
Trout Tartare
- as needed salmon trout fillet (skin and fatty membrane removed, cut into small cubes; salmon can be substituted)
- as needed cucumber (cut into small cubes about the same size as the trout, skin on)
- 1.5 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- to taste tabasco sauce (for a spicy kick) opcional
- a few leaves fresh thyme (dried thyme can be substituted)
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Steps
Assembly
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1Line a mold with parchment paper and pack the seasoned sushi rice into it, compacting firmly and evenly with a small bag or spatula so it has the same thickness throughout.Tip: A small strainer or colander works well as a tool to press the rice down firmly.~10 min
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2Cover the compacted rice well and refrigerate (or freeze for faster results) so it sets and compacts firmly.~30 min
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3Unmold the rice block and cut into small squares.~5 min
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4Heat a pan and fry the rice squares in butter (oil also works) until golden, about 4 minutes per side, then flip and repeat on the other side.Tip: If frying with oil instead of butter, drain the squares on a strainer or colander to remove excess oil.~10 min
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5Spread a touch of cream cheese and avocado on top of each fried rice square, then top with the trout tartare.~5 min
Garnish
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1Trim the scallion, cut in half, fold it flat, and slice very thin lengthwise. Place in a bowl of water with a touch of ice and let curl for 5-10 minutes.~10 min
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2Garnish with the curled scallion, the pickled aji limo, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds with a touch of sesame oil. Serve immediately.Tip: The pickled aji limo should rest about 15 minutes so the heat mellows and the sweet-tangy balance develops.~3 min
Pickled Aji Limo
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1Thinly slice the aji limo pepper. Mix vinegar, 3 tsp sugar, and a splash of filtered water to soften the vinegar's sharpness. Combine with the sliced pepper and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to pickle.~15 min
Rice Seasoning
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1Combine 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 tbsp white sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir well until the sugar and salt fully dissolve into the vinegar.~3 min
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2Let the rice cool for about 5 minutes, then pour the vinegar mixture over the rice and mash gently with a ladle to combine evenly, so the seasoning is uniform throughout.Tip: Pressing the rice as you mix helps it hold together later when compacted.~5 min
Sushi Rice
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1Measure 2 cups of sushi rice (or round-grain rice) and wash it 4-5 times until the rinse water runs almost clear, removing the excess starch.~10 min
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2Add the washed rice to a pot with an equal amount of water (2 cups). Stir and cook over the lowest heat for about 14-15 minutes.~15 min
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3Once cooked, let the rice rest covered for 10 more minutes before seasoning.~10 min
Trout Tartare
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1Fillet the trout, remove the skin, and trim off the fatty membrane. Slice into small strips, then dice into small cubes.Tip: Cut the knife at nearly a 45-degree angle and always press down near the tip so the skin doesn't come away with the flesh.~10 min
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2Dice the cucumber into small cubes about the same size as the trout, keeping the skin on since it is thin.~5 min
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3In a bowl, combine the diced trout and cucumber with the mayonnaise, ketchup, a few dashes of tabasco, fresh thyme leaves, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well.~5 min
Nutrition (por porción)
320
Calorías
14g
Proteína
30g
Carbohidratos
16g
Grasa
2g
Fibra
Cultural Context
Arroz crujiente (crispy rice) is a staple of Peru's Nikkei cuisine, the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian traditions built around sushi rice paired with the bold citrus-and-chili flavors of Peruvian seafood dishes like tiradito and ceviche. Pressing seasoned sushi rice into blocks, pan-searing it until golden, and topping it with raw or cured fish is a popular piqueo (shareable appetizer) style in Lima's Nikkei restaurants, often served alongside a spicy mayo-based tartare and a quick aji limo pickle for acidity and heat.