ingredients:
- 2 servings (120 g each)
- hot steamed rice
- 7 cm. × 8 cm. toasted
- dried laver (nori)
- 2/3 to 1 teaspoon salt
- ham slice (optional)
step 1:
Put 120 g steamed rice on a square of plastic wrap.
step 2:
Wrap the steamed rice in the plastic wrap and press into ball shape.
step 3:
Remove the plastic wrap and sprinkle 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon salt over the whole rice ball.
Cut the parts for the eyes, mouth, hair and so on from the toasted dried laver (nori). Decorate the rice ball with these.
comment:
In Japan, children's box lunches often contain these kyara (face) rice balls. The Japanese word kyara comes from the first two syllables of the English word “character.” It is commonly used in the phrase “character goods” – such items as Pokkemon, Doraemon, Disney characters, etc. Many kind of faces can be made and children are always glad to see them. One very cute thing to make is pink cheeks with pieces of ham.
