First things first: Onigiri isn’t sushi. How do we know? Because Samurais marched fueled by onigiri, and Samurais wouldn’t have started a week-long march with a bundle of fresh fish. (You can’t swing a katana without some carb loading, ya know?) Back then onigiri was a little more than a ball of rice with a seasoned coating, but a lot of time has passed and with it onigiri has been improved, filled with foods that aren’t too perishable, like cooked tuna, Japanese pickled plum — and now, cured ham and eggs. Because we’re all about breakfast-on-the-go and that’s when this Ham and Egg Breakfast Onigiri recipe comes in handy. It also comes in handy for Samurai training but we figure that’s less of a priority these days.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s like a sandwich but with rice instead of bread. Want to feel like on an anime movie, or even better feel like a Samurai, but without having to look for uncommon ingredients that are hard to find? Yup, this is your best bet, and we bet you will definitely feel a little Japanese. Meshiagare! (Bon appétit!)
Recipe Ingredients
These are the ingredients that you’ll need to make this recipe:
For The Brown Rice:
- Short grain brown rice
- Kosher salt
For The Scrambled Eggs:
- Neutral oil (like canola, grapeseed, or peanut oil)
- Large eggs
- Green onions (aka scallions)
For The Onigiri:
- Toasted sesame seeds furikake or Togarshi
- Prosciutto
- Toasted seaweed
How To Make This Recipe
These are the instructions that you’ll need to follow to make this recipe:
- Cook The Brown Rice: In a small saucepan, bring the rice and some water to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer until just cooked. Remove from heat and season with salt, mix through, and uncover until ready to use.
- Cook The Scrambled Eggs: Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a small bowl until smooth. Heat the oil in a small nonstick pan over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the eggs and, using a heatproof spatula, break up and briefly cook for about 30 seconds. Add the scallions, stir through continuing to break up eggs. Cook until eggs are done about 1 minute and remove from heat.
- Form The Onigiri: Line an onigiri mold with plastic wrap that hangs about 2-inch over on the sides. Measure out about 1/2 cup of rice and add half of that to the mold pressing in the middle to create a well. Add 1/3 cup egg mixture and top with the remaining 1/4 cup of rice. Fold over saran and press mold with cover.
- Remove rice ball and plastic wrap. Wrap the rice ball in a sheet of prosciutto. Place the triangle in the middle of the seaweed wrap with a pointed edge facing up and fold over the two sides of seaweed. It should look like a handheld triangle. Repeat to make 3 onigiri total. Eat right away or wrap in parchment or napkin for on the go.
Now, go stock up on all your cooking essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
Ham and Egg Breakfast Onigiri Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Brown Rice:
- 1/2 cup short grain brown rice
- Kosher salt
For The Scrambled Eggs:
- 1 teaspoon neutral oil (like canola, grapeseed, or peanut oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 finely chopped green onions (aka scallions)
For The Onigiri:
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds furikake or Togarshi (optional)
- 3 pieces thinly sliced prosciutto
- 1 sheet toasted seaweed
Instructions
- Cook The Brown Rice: In a small saucepan, bring the rice and 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer until just cooked about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt, mix through, and uncover until ready to use.
- Cook The Scrambled Eggs: Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a small bowl until smooth. Heat the oil in a small nonstick pan over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the eggs and, using a heatproof spatula, break up and briefly cook for about 30 seconds. Add the scallions, stir through continuing to break up eggs. Cook until eggs are done about 1 minute and remove from heat.
- Form The Onigiri: Line an onigiri mold with plastic wrap that hangs about 2-inch over on the sides. Measure out about 1/2 cup of rice and add half of that to the mold pressing in the middle to create a well. Add 1/3 cup egg mixture and top with the remaining 1/4 cup of rice. Fold over saran and press mold with cover.
- Remove rice ball and plastic wrap. Wrap the rice ball in a sheet of prosciutto. (Optional: sprinkle over togarashi spice or sesame seeds). Place the triangle in the middle of the seaweed wrap with a pointed edge facing up and fold over the two sides of seaweed. It should look like a handheld triangle. Repeat to make 3 onigiri total. Eat right away or wrap in parchment or napkin for on the go.
