Onigiri time!
Onigiri (rice ball) is always so close to my heart. First, I made the simple onigiri with my donabe rice cooker, "Kamado-san". Normally I can just wrap them up with nori (roasted seaweed) sheets and start eating. But, I had to resist the temptation this time, while they looked smelled so delicious.
It was because I wanted to go one step further with these cute onigirl balls. I used my Iga-yaki Grill, "Yaki Yaki San", to make Yaki Onigiri (grilled rice balls). Yaki Onigiri is also very popular style of onigiri in Japan.
I made the miso seasoning (miso paste, grated ginger, garlic, minced scallion, and mirin) and rubbed it on one side of each onigiri.
Once the grill is hot, I put them sauce-side-down on the grill. As soon as the onigiri were on the grill, I could hear the nice shy sizzling sound and started smelling the aromatic miso.
After a few minutes, I put the rest of the miso seasoning to the top sides of onigiri and turned them over and cooked for another few minutes. The aroma at this point was so full and irresistible.
My Yaki Onigiri (grilled rice balls) are ready. The rice balls which were cooked on the grill made of Iga's ancient clay had the wonderful rustic look. I wrapped one in nori sheet and had the first bite. Mmmm...it was my "I'm so glad that I was born Japanese" moment.
