Cucumber and Avocado Sushi

Cucumbers are composed mostly of water, providing hydration to the body and promoting moisture balance in the skin. Additionally, they contain silica, a compound that supports collagen production, contributing to skin elasticity and helping to alleviate dryness.

Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fats and vitamins, particularly vitamin E, which nourish and moisturize the skin from within. Adding avocados to your diet can help combat dry skin by promoting skin elasticity and protecting against oxidative damage.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Sushi Rice**
• 2 cups Water
• 3 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
• Salt to taste
• 4 Sheets Dry Seaweed (Nori)***
• 1 Cucumber (seedless)
• 1 Large Avocado

Directions

1. Combine water and sushi rice in a sauce pan and let soak for 20 minutes.
2. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until rice is tender and water absorbed (15-20 minutes).
3. Remove from heat, stir in vinegar and salt to taste.
4. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then lightly fluff.
5. While rice is cooking, cut cucumber into long thin strips and chop avocado into pea-size chunks.
6. Prepare your space to either hand roll your sushi or use a sushi bazooka (we have this sushi-making kit that is AWESOME and so fun with kids).
7. Place one nori sheet on mat or in bazooka if using. Spread rice evenly over nori or mat/bazooka. Arrange cucumber, avocado, and any other custom ingredients across the center of the rice.
8. Follow instructions in the kit guide for your preferred way to make rolls.
9. Use a sharp, wet knife to slice each roll into pieces.

Notes

*I guesstimated 45 minutes for the average beginner...however, when doing this with kids you can easily turn it into an hour and a half (or more!) activity like my family does. These are great ingredients to practice cutting, chopping, and experimenting.

**Yes, you DO have to use sushi rice. It is a shorter grain and glutinous, which makes it stick together. Regular white or brown rice will not work. (Promise.) Found in grocery stores with a larger Asian section. We use Nishiki Premium Grade found here.

***Nori is completely optional (one of my daughters is not about it), but it does help keep everything together.

This is just a thought-starter recipe...you can add ANY variety of fresh veggies you like, and/or any sushi-grade fish. Clearly your own variations will change the nutritional content estimated above.

Other skin-loving roll inclusion ideas: radishes, carrots, bell pepper, crab meat, cooked shrimp, smoked salmon, +++.

I cannot recommend this kid-friendly sushi kit enough. It has hand rolling mats, a sushi bazooka, and several individual onigiri molds that are easy for little hands. This makes meal prep an entire experience...we have SO much fun doing this together (and they snack on fresh veggies while we prep)!