Taco Maki Beefshi Roll

“What? Your kids eat sushi?” Before you start questioning my strategy for feeding my family of particular eaters, let me start off this post by admitting my children do NOT eat the traditional seafood-based sushi. So, when I took one of our favorite themed-dinner nights [TACO NIGHT!] and combined it with one of Mom’s favorite takeout nights [hello sushi!], we combined the best of both worlds with a new way to think about sushi: Beefshi! Forget Taco Tuesday. This Taco Maki Roll takes any taco and takeout night to the next level for those eager taste buds!

DISCLOSURE: I collaborated with the North American Meat Institute [@meat_up] on behalf of the Beef Checkoff [@beefcheckoff] to introduce the yummy Beefshi Taco Maki Roll!

While you know I’m one for introducing my kiddos to new foods, it turns out that Beefshi is a culinary concept new to Mom. What sparked my interest in beefshi the most is that this new-sushi idea combines my love of beef AND one of my favorite takeout options: sushi. Hence its name, Beefshi. Contrary to popular belief the word, “sushi,” does not necessarily mean raw seafood. The term refers to the vinegared rice that can be prepared with many ingredients like fish, veggies or prepared deli meats. Using spicy beef jerky, fresh cilantro, fresh radishes and a juicy Pico de Gallo, the Taco Maki Roll is truly a complete meal.

While I’m all for a roast beef sandwich or a handful of beef jerky as a snack, I love that I can use these favorite ingredients to design a sushi roll. Not to mention prepared beef products like beef jerky also provide a source of protein, vitamins and minerals, including iron and zinc, that are more bioavailable to the body than when derived from vegetarian sources.

Ready to get rolling? Here’s what you’ll need:

Handy Tools:

• Bamboo mat- Although you can create the Taco Maki Roll without the mat, it is very helpful in rolling a tight roll.
• Chopsticks- Also not completely necessary but it creates less of a mess while enjoying the roll.

Quick Tips:

• Rinse the sushi rice efficiently before moving on to the package directions. Sushi rice tends to be very sticky, so running cold water through the rice before cooking until it comes out clear helps to rinse the starch off the grains.
• Once the rice is cooked according to directions, poor ¼- 1/2 cup of seasoned rice vinegar over rice. Use spatula to toss the rice and vinegar often and allow the rice to cool. You want the rice to be room temperature before making the Beefshi.
• It also helps to cover the rice with a damp paper towel to prevent the rice from drying out.

Watch THIS video for step-by-step instructions for Taco Maki.

Recipe for Taco Maki:

Hand vinegar

• 1 cup of water
• ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar

Beefshi rolls

• 2 sheets nori
• 4 cups prepared sushi rice (cook according to package instructions)
• 4 ounces of shredded spicy jerky
• 16 cilantro sprigs
• ½ cup slivered radishes

Toppings

• Santa Fe style tortilla chips
• Queso fresco crumbles
• Pico de Gallo

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together the hand vinegar and set aside until needed.
2. Lay a clean bamboo sushi mat on a surface. Moisten hands in hand vinegar and shake off excess. Place a sheet of nori on the mat. Spread half the rice across the nori, leaving 1-inch empty at the end farthest from you.
3. Lay the cilantro, radishes and spicy jerky cross wide along the rice, covering half the surface closest to you
4. Securing the filing with your fingers, use your thumbs to push the end of the mat up and over the filling, until the one edge of the nori meets the rice on the other side. Press firmly.
5. Lift up the top of the mat and roll firmly until tight and round. Squeeze gently to shape the roll. Press the ends in carefully to secure any loose rice. Remove the bamboo mat and set the roll aside.
6. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Slice each roll into 8 rounds, arrange on a sushi platter, and garnish with the remaining tortilla strips, queso fresco and serve with Pico de Gallo.

Quarantine has not only challenged my family to try new foods, but it’s got this Mom in the kitchen trying one of her favorite takeout meals at home! Are you ready to sample Beefshi in your own home? Head on over to the Beefshi website and be sure to follow the North American Meat Institute, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more Beefshi inspiration!   #beeffarmersandranchers