Chickpea 'Tuna' Sushi
Anyone how knows me will also know that I really love sushi. REALLY love sushi. In fact, during one of my hospital admissions, I had sushi for lunch almost every single day for a whole of 4 months and still didn't get sick of it. You can never really go wrong with sushi!
Fresh, homemade sushi is by far the best. And cheapest. I love experimenting with different fillings and using different types of rice and other grains too.
Tuna sushi is probably one of the most popular types of sushi. This is a sad thing because there are so many devastating consequences from fishing and fish consumption.
Our oceans are amazing, magical places filled with so many diverse, interesting and beautiful creatures, and they are suffering immensely as a result of over fishing and pollution. Every year, 80.4 metric tonnes of fish are pulled from the ocean, and for every 1kg of caught, an additional 5kg of unintended sea life is also caught as by catch, discarded and killed. Animal agriculture, the biggest cause of ocean pollution, not only kills sea life directly, but also contaminates the water and it's inhabitants with harmful chemicals and heavy metals, which we end up consuming too if we choose to eat seafood. It is estimated that by the year 2048, our oceans will be empty. If you haven't already, I highly recommend watching the documentary 'Cowspiracy' to shed some insight into this alarming truth.
But no fishy friends need be harmed for a delicious sushi meal - and with this creamy, nutritious and tasty chickpea filling - not even for 'tuna' sushi! Not only is this alternative much more delicious (i.e. doesn't taste like cat food), it's also much better for you as it's packed with fibre, protein, iron and a whole range of other nutrients, without any of the harmful compounds or cruelty. It also tastes great as a sandwich or wrap filling, salad topping, paired with rice and greens...the list goes on!
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpeas
- 2 tbsp hummus (or tahini)
- 2 tbsp capers, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup gherkin, diced
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- brown or sushi rice, cooked
- cucumber
- nori sheets
Method
- Mash chickpeas with a fork so there are no whole chickpeas left and the mixture resembles a canned tuna consistency
- Stir in the hummus (or tahini), dijon mustard, capers, chives, gherkins, black pepper and lemon juice and mix until well combined and the mixture begins to stick together. You may have to add a splash of water if it's too dry!
- Spread rice out evenly onto your nori sheets, then add a layer of chickpea filling and cucumber sticks down the middle
- Roll up your sushi tightly, slice up and serve with all your favourite sushi condiments!
