Smiling Rice Rolls for Kids
Make Fun ‘Smile’ Kimbap Together with Your Child
Beat the summer heat by making these adorable ‘Smile’ Kimbap at home with your kids! It’s a delightful way to spend time together and enjoy a tasty, fun meal.
Ingredients- 1 bowl of cooked rice (approx. 200g)
- 2 sheets of dried seaweed for kimbap
- 1-2 sausages (Vienna or similar long type)
- Salt, to taste
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare one bowl of warm cooked rice. It shouldn’t be too hot, as this makes rolling kimbap easier. Season the rice with a pinch of salt according to your child’s preference.
Step 2
Next, add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil to the rice. This will give the kimbap a wonderful nutty aroma and flavor.
Step 3
Gently mix the seasoned rice. Be careful not to mash the rice grains; mix them lightly so that the seasoning is evenly distributed. This ensures each bite is flavorful.
Step 4
Cut the sausages in half lengthwise. If the sausages are quite thick, you can cut them into quarters. This makes them easier to handle and eat.
Step 5
Blanch the cut sausages in boiling water for about 30 seconds. This step cleans them and makes the texture softer. Avoid boiling for too long, as they might become too soft and break apart.
Step 6
Remove the blanched sausages from the water. Pat them dry with a paper towel or clean cloth and let them cool down. Be mindful of the heat to keep children safe.
Step 7
Cut each sheet of kimbap seaweed in half. Spread the seasoned rice thinly and evenly over the seaweed, leaving about a 1cm border at the top edge. This border will help seal the roll. Don’t overload with too much rice, or the kimbap might burst.
Step 8
Place a cooled sausage piece onto the rice, near the bottom edge of the seaweed sheet. Gently press it into the rice so it stays in place.
Step 9
Now, roll the kimbap tightly. Start from the edge with the sausage, and roll it forward, keeping the rice compact. Gently press the top edge with a little water or rice grain to seal the roll, preventing it from unraveling.
Step 10
Slice the rolled kimbap into bite-sized pieces, about 1cm thick. This size is perfect for children. To get clean cuts, you can lightly moisten your knife with water or roll the kimbap in plastic wrap before slicing.
Step 11
To create the ‘smile’ effect, cut small circles or shapes from a piece of seaweed for the eyes. Let your child have fun sticking the seaweed ‘eyes’ onto their kimbap. Encourage them to create happy faces!
Step 12
Voila! Your cheerful ‘Smile’ Kimbap is ready. Enjoy this special meal that you and your child made together!
