Mediterranean Diet Shrimp Onigiri
Elevate your on-the-go meals with this Mediterranean Diet Shrimp Onigiri—a fusion twist on classic Japanese rice balls, packed with vibrant Mediterranean flavors! This recipe combines perfectly cooked short-grain sushi rice with succulent shrimp sautéed in extra virgin olive oil and zesty lemon, then mingles the filling with crumbled feta cheese, tangy Kalamata olives, and fresh herbs like dill and parsley. Wrapped in tender nori strips for a touch of umami, these portable rice balls are both light and satisfying, making them ideal for a wholesome lunch, snack, or platter centerpiece. Ready in just 40 minutes, this Mediterranean-inspired onigiri is a unique, flavor-packed option that embodies healthy eating without sacrificing taste. Perfect for picnics, meal prep, or a refreshing alternative to traditional sushi!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup short-grain sushi rice
- 1.25 cups water
- 200 grams shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 50 grams feta cheese, crumbled
- 10 Kalamata olives, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 nori sheets, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Rinse the sushi rice under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and 1.25 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover the saucepan and cook for about 15 minutes until the rice is tender and water is absorbed.
Remove the cooked rice from heat and let it steam, covered, for an additional 10 minutes.
While the rice is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with sea salt and black pepper. Sauté the shrimp until pink and cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes.
Remove the shrimp from heat and toss them with lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh dill, and parsley. Let cool slightly.
Once the rice is slightly cooled, dampen your hands with water to prevent sticking.
Take approximately 2 tablespoons of rice and form an oval or triangle shape by squeezing gently.
Create a small indentation in the center of the rice mound with your thumb.
Place a piece of shrimp, a few crumbles of feta cheese, and a small portion of chopped olives into the indentation.
Gently mold more rice over the filling and carefully shape it into a ball or triangle, ensuring the filling is enclosed.
Wrap with a strip of nori for added flavor and presentation, if desired.
Repeat the process with the remaining rice and filling ingredients.
Serve the Mediterranean shrimp onigiri at room temperature or chill them in the refrigerator for a refreshing snack.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1183 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 66.9 g | 86% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.7 g | 74% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 432 mg | 144% | |
| Sodium | 4503 mg | 196% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 80.0 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.2 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 g | ||
| Protein | 65.7 g | 131% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 528 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 7.0 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 1019 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
