Omelet purses

chakin zushi

Both omelet purses and parcels make elegant appetizer dishes. Omelet makes a colorful wrapping material, and here each stuffed purse is tied with a bright green cilantro stalk. You will need a 9¹⁄₂in (24cm) frying pan.

MAKES 8 purses | PREPARATION TIME 1 hour 30 minutes, plus sushi rice and ingredient preparation

INGREDIENTS

1 quantity sushi rice | 4 seasoned shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced | 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds | 8 thin Japanese omelets | 8 cilantro or flat-leaf parsley stalks, leaves removed, 6in (15cm) long

METHOD

1 Mix the sushi rice with the shiitake mushrooms and sesame seeds in a bowl. Place an omelet on a clean surface or chopping board and spoon about 2 tbsp rice stuffing into the middle of it.

2 Run the back of a knife along the cilantro or flat-leaf parsley stalk to tenderize it. Gather up the edges of the omelet and tie together with the stalk. Repeat to make 8 purses.