For the preparation of rolls, a bamboo rug or makisu mat is traditionally used. Although this is an inexpensive accessory, sometimes it is difficult to find it on sale. However, there is no need to get upset because of this - you can cook rolls without a mat, using improvised means.
Sushi chefs traditionally use bamboo mats to make beautiful rolls. The home chef who does not have special tools for Japanese dishes must find alternative ways to process the ingredients.
The best solution to the question of how to replace the mat for rolls and sushi is a regular kitchen towel and plastic cling film.
How to make rolls without a mat
To make sushi this way, spread a towel on your work surface and cover it with a sheet of plastic cling film.
Spread the nori sheets on a baking sheet and heat them in the oven for 1-2 minutes at 300 degrees. This will make them more flexible. Place one of the heated sheets, shiny side down, on the cling film covering the towel.
Spread 3/4 cup cooked rice on the nori so that it covers the entire surface with a thin layer except for two edges, leaving strips approximately 2.5 cm wide. Add the filling in the center of the rice layer, parallel to the two empty edges.
Grasp one empty end with a tea towel and pull it along with the plastic wrap to the filling line. Adjust the roll so that the filling is covered with the rice and nori, and roll the sheet all the way, applying slight pressure. Once the roll is curled, lightly press it with your hands through a towel. Once you are sure that the roll is tight, remove the towel and carefully peel off the cling film.
DIY bamboo mat
In addition, you can use any bamboo napkins and curtain fragments made of this material instead of a mat. If you wish, you can make your own mat from damaged bamboo items. To do this, you need to divide an unnecessary napkin or bamboo curtain into separate stems and cut them to the desired size (this will be the width of the mat to be created).
Take a thick thread and a large needle, and tie a tight knot in the middle of one stem. This will be the starting point. Then attach other stems to it (one at a time), attaching each of them to the previous one with a tight knot. Once the desired length is reached, double-knot the thread and cut it.
Spread the rug out on the table and check how even the stems are. Use heavyweight thread to reinforce the edges of the mat, holding the pieces together one at a time and tying the knots.
