Sushi for dogs and cats

It’s sushi time! Here are four easy recipes for your furry friend that will have you rolling like a pro in no time.

Depending on how you prepare them, both you and your pets can enjoy these delicious sushi recipes. Try to choose organic ingredients whenever possible.

Beef sushi

Ingredients

1 cup cooked sticky rice

1 sheet nori

3 tablespoons raw ground beef*

Pinch of turmeric

6 matchstick-sized pieces of carrot

Small handful of fresh pea sprouts

*This is a raw roll, but the beef can be cooked too.

Chicken sushi

Ingredients

¾ cup cooked sticky rice

1 sheet nori

1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in cubes

6 matchstick-sized pieces of Japanese/Hukurei turnip

1 tablespoon parsley, finely minced

1 tablespoon first-pressed olive oil

¼ teaspoon turmeric

Pinch of Himalayan sea salt (optional)

Instructions

Sauté chicken breast in medium-sized pan with olive oil. Sprinkle with turmeric and sea salt. Cool completely in the refrigerator or freezer, then thinly slice the chicken cubes before preparing sushi rolls.

Sardine sushi

Ingredients

1 cup cooked sticky rice

1 sheet nori

1 large sardine, sliced in half, lengthwise

6 matchstick-sized pieces of carrot

6 matchstick-sized pieces of cucumber, without rind

6 matchstick-pieces of golden beet

Salmon sushi

Ingredients

¾ cup cooked sticky rice

1 sheet nori

1 filet wild cooked salmon

6 matchstick-sized pieces of golden beet

6 matchstick-sized pieces of cucumber

1 tablespoon first-pressed olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated

Instructions

Lightly sear salmon filet in a medium-sized pan with first-pressed olive oil and ginger. Cool completely in the refrigerator or freezer, before combining with sushi rice and preparing sushi roll.

Preparation tips

  • Sticky rice lacks amylose, a type of starch, which makes it perfect for sushi. It takes longer to digest than regular rice. Rinse rice until the water becomes clear, prior to cooking.
  • Kombu kelp can be used to add an extra punch to the rice while it is being prepared.
  • Lay out the nori sheet on a bamboo rolling mat, with the rough side “up”.
  • Scoop cooked sushi rice and distribute evenly on nori paper.
  • Moisten hands and press rice into nori paper, adding extra moisture along the edge to help to seal the rolls.
  • Add protein and top with vegetable matchsticks and sprouts. Besides the ingredients we have listed here, consider asparagus, avocado, Shiitake mushrooms, sweet potatoes or yams, and even hard-boiled eggs.
  • Roll sushi away from you.
  • Always use a clean sharp knife (cut/rinse/cut) when cutting your large rolls into bite-sized pieces.