Yummy Tuna Rice Balls for Kids
Quick & Easy Tuna Can Recipe: Hidden Rice Balls!
On days when you’re worried about side dishes, whip up something delicious with a can of tuna! It’s a super simple ingredient that can be turned into anything. These tuna rice balls are a favorite among kids, perfect for little hands to knead and enjoy. They’re also ideal for a fun cooking activity. Prepare to make simple yet nutritious tuna rice balls!
Ingredients
- 1 bowl of cooked rice
- 1/2 can of tuna
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/5 stalk of green onion, finely chopped
- 1/8 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/9 piece of zucchini, finely chopped
- 1/7 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 4-6 pinches of salt
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients for the rice balls. If you have leftover rice, you can use it, but freshly cooked, fluffy rice works best for shaping. Ensure all vegetables are washed and prepped.
Step 2
Finely chop the green onion, onion, zucchini, and carrot into very small pieces, especially if for children. First, slice the vegetables lengthwise, then mince them finely on a cutting board. Place each type of chopped vegetable on separate small plates for easy access during cooking.
Step 3
Since these are for children, chop the vegetables as finely as possible. If your child dislikes the texture of vegetables, chop them even finer. Adjust the chopping consistency according to your child’s preference.
Step 4
To make stir-frying easier and prevent burning, arrange the chopped vegetables neatly on plates. This preparation step will help speed up the cooking process.
Step 5
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Heat a frying pan over medium-low heat, add grapeseed oil, and then add the chopped green onion. Stir-fry until fragrant to create ‘green onion oil’.
Step 6
Once the green onion oil is fragrant, add the chopped onion and stir-fry. Since the amount of vegetables is small, you need to control the heat to low-low heat to prevent them from burning. Cook until the onion becomes translucent.
Step 7
When the onion turns translucent, add the chopped zucchini and then the carrots. Stir-fry them together with the onion.
Step 8
Continue to stir-fry over medium-low heat until all the vegetables are softened and well-cooked. This will bring out their natural sweetness and enhance the flavor of the rice balls.
Step 9
At the very end of stir-frying the vegetables, add about 2 pinches of salt to lightly season them. Set the stir-fried vegetables aside to cool.
Step 10
In a large bowl, combine the warm, fluffy rice. Add sesame seeds, sesame oil, and salt (about 2-4 pinches). Mix well. It’s best to season lightly at first, as you can adjust the taste later. Be careful not to add too much sesame oil, as it can impart a bitter taste; 1/2 tablespoon is usually sufficient.
Step 11
Add the stir-fried vegetables to the bowl of rice.
Step 12
Using a spatula or your hands, gently mix the rice and vegetables together until well combined. Be careful not to mash the rice grains.
Step 13
After mixing, taste the rice mixture and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. Make sure it’s not too salty and suits your child’s palate.
Step 14
Carefully open the tuna can to avoid injury. Drain the liquid by pressing the tuna with your hands or by using a sieve. Once drained, mix the tuna with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise to create the ‘tuna mayo’ filling.
Step 15
Take a portion of the seasoned rice and shape it into a small, round ball, about bite-sized. Create a small indentation in the center of the rice ball with your finger. This hollow will hold the tuna mayo filling.
Step 16
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the prepared tuna mayo into the indentation of each rice ball.
Step 17
Gently cover the tuna mayo with the rice, shaping it into a smooth, round ball so the filling is completely hidden inside. If you have seaweed flakes, you can roll the finished rice balls in them for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Step 18
Arrange the finished tuna rice balls attractively on a plate. For a more complete snack or bento, consider adding some fresh fruit alongside, such as the delicious tangerines that are in season right now!
