Sushi Bug Bites

This fun sushi recipe makes a cheerful spring meal.

Sushi is a traditional Japanese food that’s popular around the world. These colorful sushi bites are fun for kids to make, and they’re fun to eat too! Make some for your next party, or for a great family dinner anytime.


	Total Time: 1 hour
	Makes: 48 pieces (16 of each variety)
	Level: 2

THINGS YOU'LL NEED

INGREDIENTS
(Use organic ingredients whenever possible)

•	Measuring cup
•	Measuring spoons
•	Small bowl
•	Fork
•	Oil or cooking spray
•	Small skillet

•	Spatula
•	Cutting board
•	Small oval cookie cutter
•	Plastic wrap
•	Vegetable peeler
•	Paring knife

•	Scissors
•	Medium bowl
•	Spoon
•	Small plastic bag
•	Large airtight container

•	Sushi vinegar (1/4 cup rice vinegar + 3 Tbsp sugar + 1 tsp salt)
•	2 eggs
•	1 cucumber, about 6” long and 2” around
•	1 sheet sushi nori*
•	2 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice
•	2 Tbsp sesame seeds (white and black)
•	1 Tbsp mayonnaise
•	16 pieces smoked salmon, about 2” x 2” each
*	Note: Nori can be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores.

Let's Make It!
	Kid: Make the sushi vinegar and set aside.
	Adult: Crack 1 egg into the small bowl and stir. Coat the skillet with oil or cooking spray. Cook the egg over low heat, flipping so both sides cook evenly. Repeat with the remaining egg to make 2 thin crepes. Kid: Place the crepes on a cutting board. Use the cookie cutter to cut out 16 ovals from each crepe. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
	Kid: Use the vegetable peeler to peel off long, thin strips of cucumber skin, about 1/4” apart, all the way around the cucumber. Cut the cucumber into 3 equal pieces.
	Adult: Use the paring knife to cut all the way around the outer layer of the cucumber, about 1/8” deep.
	Kid: Flatten the curved cucumber pieces on a cutting board and use the cookie cutter to cut out 16 ovals. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
	Adult: Use the scissors to cut the nori into 48 thin strips (about 4” x 1/8”), 16 circles (3/4”), and 160 tiny squares. Click here for easy cutting directions!
	Kid: Place the rice in the medium bowl. Add the sesame seeds and sushi vinegar and mix well. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap to keep the rice moist.
	To Make the Butterflies Kid: Use your hands to make 16 oval rice balls, about 1 1/2” x 1”.
	Kid: Overlap 2 egg pieces on top of each rice ball. Wrap a nori strip around the rice ball to hold the egg in place. Place 1 nori square on each section of the wings. Place in the airtight container and set aside.
	To Make the Leaves Kid: Use your hands to make 16 oval rice balls, about 1 1/2” x 1”. Kid: Place a cucumber piece on each rice ball. Wrap a nori strip around the rice ball to hold the cucumber in place. Kid: Place the mayonnaise in the plastic bag and snip off 1 corner on the bottom of the bag. Squeeze the mayonnaise onto each cucumber to create leaf veins. Place in the airtight container and set aside.
	To Make the Ladybugs Kid: Use your hands to make 16 round rice balls, about 1 1/2” around. Kid: Place a piece of plastic wrap on the table. Stack a salmon piece and a rice ball on the plastic wrap.
	Kid: Gather the plastic wrap and squeeze until the salmon wraps around the rice ball. Unwrap the salmon ball and set aside.
	Kid: Place a nori circle at the edge of the salmon ball. Wrap a nori strip around the center of the salmon ball. Place 3 nori squares on each half of the salmon ball.