Food & Cooking Recipes Appetizers Sushi Cake 3.0 (81) 3 Reviews By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 16, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Anna Williams Servings: 10 Serve this sushi cake as a precursor to a light Asian-style meal, or alone with hot or cold sake. Since no raw fish is used -- only cooked shrimp and lump crabmeat -- the cake can be made ahead of time and chilled until ready to serve. Ingredients ½ cup rice-wine vinegar 1 tablespoon coarse salt 2 tablespoons sugar 3 ¾ cups water 3 cups sushi rice 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 teaspoons fresh chives, finely chopped 2 tablespoons powdered wasabi, mixed with two tablespoons water 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 4 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over 4 ounces cooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and roughly chopped, plus several more for garnish 3 sheets nori (paper-thin dried seaweed) 2 tablespoons pickled ginger, finely shredded, plus more for garnish 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, for garnish Radish sprouts, for garnish Wasabi Mayonnaise for Sushi Cake Directions In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, salt, and sugar; set aside. Place the water and rice in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, until rice has absorbed all water, about 15 minutes. Transfer rice to a large bowl. Stirring constantly, slowly add reserved vinegar mixture until fully incorporated. Let cool completely, stirring occasionally. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, chives, two teaspoons wasabi mixture, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature. Transfer to a nonreactive bowl, and add crab, shrimp, and one tablespoon ginger. Mix well to combine. Toast nori sheets to enhance their flavor: Using tongs, wave each sheet over a gas burner or Sterno flame, flipping and turning until crisp and darkened in color, 30 to 60 seconds; both changes are subtle, so watch carefully. Assemble cake: Place a nori sheet, shiny side down, on a dry work surface, and cover, using moistened fingers, with 2 1/2 cups rice. Cover with plastic wrap, level with rolling pin (remove plastic wrap), and brush with wasabi mixture. Place a nori sheet on top, and spread with one cup rice. Level with a rolling pin, and brush rice with wasabi mixture. Arrange crab mixture evenly on top; sprinkle with remaining tablespoon ginger. Spread with one cup rice. Place remaining nori sheet on top; cover with 2 1/2 cups rice, and level cake with rolling pin. Trim edges, using a wet and sharp knife, and transfer cake to a plate. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least two hours or overnight. To serve, slice cake crosswise into three equal pieces. Place on a platter, and garnish with pickled ginger, radish sprouts, shrimp, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with wasabi mayonnaise. Cook's Notes Wasabi, nori, and pickled ginger can be found in the Asian-food section of some supermarkets. Rate it Print