bake it up!

when it comes to potluck dinners with the in-laws, i frequently find myself in charge of a veggie dish and an appetizer. the requested veggie dish is typically green bean casserole. it's darn good. and (bonus!) i can use the leftovers in potpies, like i did here. i try to switch it up a little more when it comes to the appetizers. but there are some definite faves that i go back to. i've been on a little bit of a sushi kick lately, but making sushi for that many people (18-ish) was a little more labor intensive than i had time for. (btw, when did easter turn into a christmas-esque holiday? driving around to visit with 3 different families, cooking 3 different dishes, and making gift bags for the kids? jinkies!) anyhoo, i made this sushi for my sissa the week before, and had bought the imitation crab for the california rolls at my bulk store. of course i didn't need all that crab, so i decided to make make baked sushi for my appetizer for tonight's easter dinner. it's like a delicious sushi casserole. you serve it with pieces of nori (korean nori is the best!) for your guests to make their own mini-rolls. 

sushi rice:

4 cups short grain rice (cooked)

3 tbs rice vinegar

2 tbs sugar

1 tbs kosher salt

crab topping:

8 oz cream cheese (i used light)

1 c mayo

1 lb imitation crab sticks, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

korean nori

microwave the vinegar, sugar, and salt for 30-45 seconds and mix until most of the salt and sugar dissolve. put the cooked / hot rice in a 9x13 pan and gently mix in the vinegar mixture.

mix together cream cheese and mayo until smooth. add imitation crab and mix until pieces are broken / shredded. mix in salt and pepper. 

spread crab topping onto the rice, and put into the oven with the broiler on high. cook for ~10 minutes, until the top starts to brown lightly. serve with nori. 

mmm...now, go bake it up!