RED PANDA ONIGIRI

Inspired by shared lunches on the bleachers and sweet afternoons spent learning SHINee choreographies on the blacktop —

make your own red panda onigiri with this recipe by Liana Fu (@mushroomhatersonly), using Sichuan Chili Crisp and packed perfectly into our Shorty Spice Box Set, our lunchbox made in collaboration with Disney and Pixar's Turning Red!

Serving size: 3-5 onigiri

Ingredients For the rice:

2 cups cooked white sushi rice

For the seasoning:

1 tbsp gochujang
1.5 tsp doenjang
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp Sichuan Chili Crisp
1 tbsp furikake seasoning (optional)

For the filling:

1 can of tinned fish (optional)

For decorating:

1 sharp white cheddar cheese square
1 sheet of nori
1 Colby Jack cheese square (optional)
Red chili peppers (optional)
Cherry tomatoes (optional)
Lettuce (optional)

Instructions

Let your cooked rice cool for about 20 minutes or until slightly warm before adding seasoning. This prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.

Transfer the rice to a large mixing bowl and add gochujang, doenjang, sesame oil, Sichuan Chili Crisp, and furikake seasoning. Mix until completely combined—the rice should turn into an orangey red color.

Sichuan Chili Crisp

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Using food-safe plastic gloves, shape rice into a ball about the size of a tennis ball for the “head” of the red panda. (If using filling, make an indent in the center of the rice ball and place about 1 teaspoon of filling. Cover with rice until the filling is sealed and form it into a ball again.) Make two smaller balls for the “ears” about the size of a cherry tomato. Arrange all the rice ball pieces on a plate. Repeat with the remaining rice.

To decorate, cut the white cheddar cheese into half-moon shapes for the eyebrows and cheeks. Use a heart-shaped food cutter for the white ears and mouth. With scissors, cut small pieces of nori for the eyes, cheeks, and nose. Use a leaf-shaped food cutter to cut the colby jack cheese square into leaves.

Eat with cherry tomatoes, lettuce, leftover nori, and any other vegetables of your choice.

Disney and Pixar's Turning Red is streaming now on Disney+! Subscription required, must be 18+ to subscribe.