Real Crab California Roll

Real Crab California Roll

Unlike most California Roll recipes that are made using Imitation Crab, this recipe uses fresh caught Channel Clinging Crab that is native to South Florida. To be honest, California Rolls aren’t something that I usually order at sushi restaurants, but I do get variations of them from time to time.

I’ve been wanting to make some Sushi out of one of these crabs for awhile, I’ve done some rolls with Stone Crab before, but never Channel Clinging Crabs. Crab meat has such a sweet, delicate flavor that goes great in sushi rolls! I would probably make this recipe more often if the crabs themselves weren’t so hard to come by.

How I Got This Channel Clinging Crab

I actually got this particular crab while out spearfishing off of Dania Beach. I had already secured a big Mutton Snapper, and didn’t necessarily need anymore fish. My dive buddy had spotted a Black Grouper, however, and in the process of trying to him locate him I came across this crab.

At first he was way back in a hole and I could barely reach him with my speargun. I tried to see if I could tickle him out, but was unsuccessful. I kind of wrote him off as a lost cause and then to my surprise the next time I went down he was sitting out in the open. I quickly grabbed him and after wrestling him for a second I was able to secure him. He was able to get a nice pinch on me, though! It wasn’t as bad as a Stone Crab, but still didn’t feel great!

I hope you enjoy this Real Crab California Roll Recipe:

5 from 1 vote

Real Crab California Roll

by Zachery Dyke

Not your average California Roll, this recipe uses Channel Clinging Crab meat to make an incredible Sushi Roll that can be made at home!

Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Start Cooking

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Servings: 2

Calories: 220kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Measuring Cup
• ▢
  Small Pot With Lid
• ▢
  Spoon
• ▢
  Sushi Mat
• ▢
  Kitchen Shears
• ▢
  Plastic Wrap
• ▢
  9" Shun Classic Slicing Knife
• ▢
  8" Shun Classic Chef Knife
• ▢
  Shun Large Cutting Board
• ▢
  Small Bowl
• ▢
  Medium Bowl
• ▢
  Large Bowl

Ingredients

US Customary | Metric

For The Sushi Rice

• ▢ 1 cup Short Grain Sushi Rice (rinsed)
• ▢ 1 ½ cups Water
• ▢ 1 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
• ▢ ½ tbsp White Sugar
• ▢ ½ tsp Salt

For The Real Crab California Roll Filling

• ▢ 10 oz Cooked Channel Clinging Crab Meat (or other crab meat)
• ▢ Cucumber (cut longways)
• ▢ Avocado (cut longways)

Other Ingredients For The Real Crab California Roll

• ▢ Nori Sheets
• ▢ Sesame Seeds
• ▢ Soy Sauce (for dipping)
• ▢ Ginger (optional)

Instructions 

For The Sushi Rice

• Measure out 1 cup of rice, rinse thoroughly, and add to your small pot.
  1 cup Short Grain Sushi Rice
• Measure out 1 ½ cups of water and add to your small pot.
  1 ½ cups Water
• Bring your rice to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover.
• Once your water level gets below the rice remove from heat.
• Keep covered for 20 minutes.
• Remove lid, fluff with a spoon, and transfer to a large bowl.
• In a separate small bowl, add your rice wine vinegar, white sugar, and salt.
  1 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar

  ½ tbsp White Sugar

  ½ tsp Salt
• Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Make sure the sugar is melted. Microwave longer if needed.
• Add this mixture to your rice, doing your best to spread it around evenly.
• Set aside.

For The Real Crab California Roll

• Wrap your sushi mat with plastic wrap so the rice doesn't stick.
• Place your nori on your mat smooth side down.
  Nori Sheets
• Add rice evenly onto the ¾ of the Nori Sheet closest to you. Sprinkle Sesame Seeds on the rice.
  Sesame Seeds
• Flip over so the end that doesn't have rice on it is facing you.
• Add your Cucumber and Avocado, followed by a generous amount of Crab Meat.
  10 oz Cooked Channel Clinging Crab Meat

  Cucumber

  Avocado
• Roll your your sushi while applying pressure evenly with your mat. Make sure the roll seals properly.
• Cut into 8-10 pieces and plate. Repeat this process until you run out of ingredients.

  NOTE: I was able to make 5 larger sized sushi rolls using the 10oz of Crab Meat. If you want to make more rolls, just use less ingredients in each roll.
• Serve with Soy Sauce and Ginger.
  Soy Sauce

  Ginger
• Enjoy!

Notes

• Try this recipe with other species such as:
  • Blue Crab
  • Stone Crab
  • Spiny Lobster

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 1285mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 36IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg

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