This was today's lunch. I substituted rice paper wrappers for nori but if you have nori, use it. I wish I had it. I thought I had it but the rice paper worked out well. Original recipe was from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten. A fabulous book. Love it. This is one of the more complex recipes from the book. Most are quite simple. Here is my adaptation. It was fabulous. More work but worth it. @@@@@ Vegetarian Rice Paper Sushi | RisaG | 3/4 cup sushi rice water, to cover salt 1/4 cup mirin, + additional 5 sheets rice paper warm water, for soaking 2 tsp wasabi powder, mixed with 1 tsp water, or more 1/2 red bell pepper, julienne 1/2 yellow bell pepper, julienne 1 scallion (green part only), julienne 1 japanese cucumber, seed & julienne 1-10 oz jar pickled ginger Sushi Dipping Sauce: 1/4 tsp wasabi powder 1/4 tsp water 1/4 tsp pure chile powder 1/2 tsp pickled ginger, minced 1/2 tsp scallion (green part only), minced 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 1.5 tbsp soy sauce 1/4 tsp roasted sesame oil, Kadoya brand | Place rice in a strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water is fairly clear, about 5 min. Shake the water out and allow the rice to dry in the strainer for 15 minutes. Put the rice in a pot with water, an inch about the rice, and cook, covered, on HIGH heat until it starts to foam. This should take 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook until tender, about 15 min. Turn off the heat and sprinkle with 1/4 cup mirin. Replace the lid and allow the rice to steam, about 15 min. Place in a bowl and cool to room temp. To prepare rice paper: Put some warm water in a shallow pie pan. Place a few sheets of rice paper in it. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften. When soft, place each sheet of rice paper on a sheet of dry paper towels. As you soften a piece, put it on another until all rice paper is ready for use. To prepare sushi: Place a bamboo sushi roller flat on a table with the bamboo reeds horizontal to you. Sprinkle with a bit of water. Place one prepared sheet of rice paper on top, and moisten lightly with mirin. With damp hands, press 3/4 cup of prepared rice flat on top of the paper, leaving 1-1/2 inch edges on the top and bottom, but pressing all the way to the sides. Make sure the rice is pressed even and smooth. Spread 1/4 tsp of wasabi paste in a horizontal stripe near the lower edge of the rice. Over the wasabi, place strips of vegetables, on top of the wasabi, making a tight bundle of vegetables. Place one layer of pickled ginger slices on top. To roll: Pick up the near edge of the bamboo roller and hold it with the rice paper, then pull them up and over the vegetable bundle until the rice paper reaches the rice on the other side. Press the roller to make a round bundle, then roll the bundle to the far edge of the rice paper and press again to make a round bundle (The rice paper should totally enclose the rice and vegetables in a round tube, but the ends will have rice and vegetables sticking out.) Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients. Keep the rolls under a damp towel and refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve: Slice off th ends with a very sharp knife and slice each roll into 4 equal pieces. Place on a platter and serve with more pickled ginger and Sushi Dipping Sauce. For sauce: Combine the wasabi powder and water to make a paste. Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Serve as a dip with the sushi. Original recipe from The Barefoot Contessa by Ina Garten. Makes 5. If you have rice leftover, place in between clean paper towels and place in a ziploc bag. Freeze until needed again. Remember to thaw out before use. | _____ RisaG MK Independent Beauty Consultant mailto: radiorlg@home.com Risa's Food Service http://www.geocities.com/radiorlg Updated 7/20/01