Veggie Rice Balls

  From The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild...  

 

Who else spent the weekend in a Zelda haze? The sequel to Breath of the Wild has completely consumed me, and I know I’m not alone. A few months ago, I decided that when the time came to announce my newest cookbook, The Video Game Chef, it had to be with a recipe from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. 

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know Zelda is the series that inspired me to start this blog 15 years ago (!), so this moment feels like a full-circle moment. Taking the photo was also a great excuse to give my screen-strained eyes a break and touch some (not cel-shaded) grass.

 

This cookbook was such a fun and fascinating project. It's a culinary adventure through the history of video game food, from its early pixelated days to the beautifully detailed dishes we see in modern titles. And what better way to kick things off than with a recipe for Veggie Rice Balls from BotW and TotK?

 

These little rice balls seem to be a favorite of Addison, everyone’s favorite sign-holding, President Hudson-supporting NPC. In its simplest form, the dish is made with just Hylian Rice and Hyrule Herb, but there are tons of variations, just like in the game. They’re as easy as taking down a low-level Bokoblin, completely vegan, and ridiculously customizable. Swap ingredients, experiment, and create your own version! And if you find yourself humming Epona’s Song or Zelda’s Lullaby while cooking… well, you’re in good company.

 

 

 Ingredients

• 1 cup Short Grain or "Sushi" Rice, freshly cooked (use brown to emulate game appearance)
  
• 2 Green Onions or 1 bunch chives, thinly sliced*
  
• 1 tbsp. Nori Komi Furikake 
• 1 tsp. Gomasio (or sub Toasted Sesame Seeds with a pinch of Sea Salt)
  
• 1 tsp. Shiso Fumi Furikake (optional)
• 2 tbsp. Ponzu Sauce (or sub equal parts soy sauce and rice vinegar)
  
• Up to 1/2 cup additional cooked green veggies such as Peas, Shishitso Peppers, Kale or Edamame, chopped fine (optional)
• Up to 1/4 cup additional fresh herbs such as Shiso, Dill, Mitsuba, Parsley etc., chopped fine (optional)
• 1 Shiso leaf, or use a large Lettuce or Napa Cabbage Leaf (optional, for serving/garnish) 

 

*Although Hyrule Herb most closely resembles dill, dill's distinct flavor felt like it might be too overpowering given the fictional herb's many culinary uses. Instead, I opted for green onion. Feel free to use whatever fresh herbs your little heart container desires!

Directions 

 

1. Ensure all vegetables and herbs are completely dry. Use paper towels or a clean dry cloth to wipe them down if needed. Excess moisture can make the rice too soggy to hold its shape!
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the rice, green onions, furikake (both kinds, if using), gomasio, ponzu, and any additional vegetables or herbs. The mixture should be very sticky. If it’s not sticking together, add more rice as needed.
3. If using rice molds to shape: For easier forming, to shape the onigiri, use slightly damp rice molds to form the rounded triangular shape, following the product instructions. This recipe makes 2-4 rice balls, depending on mold size. 
4. If using hands to shape: Fill a small bowl with warm, lightly salted water. Wet your hands, then divide the rice mixture into 2 to 4 equal portions. Using damp hands, gently shape each portion into a rounded triangle, rewetting your hands as needed. For a more uniform shape, wrap the rice in plastic wrap before molding, though the in-game version has an imperfect look, so this step is optional.
5. Place a shiso leaf or lettuce leaf on a serving plate. Set two rice balls on top, garnishing one with an herb sprig of your choice. Repeat if making four rice balls. Serve and enjoy!

 

Makes 2 to 4 Rice Balls 

SPICY VERSION : This is a basic template, but you can add some Sichimi Togarashi to taste to make the "Spicy" version and grant yourself some cold resistance!