‘The Pioneer Woman’: Ree Drummond’s California Roll Bowls Recipe Is a Fun Spin on Sushi
Ree Drummond loves sushi and has the perfect dish when you’re craving a California roll. The Pioneer Woman star’s California roll bowls recipe is a deconstructed version of the sushi favorite.
Ree Drummond said her California roll recipe is perfect for summer
The recipe introduction on the Food Network site explains Drummond’s deconstructed idea. “This dish is a deconstructed version of the California roll, which typically includes crab (real or imitation), cucumber, and avocado,” the recipe notes. “Ree skips the avocado and doubles down on crunch with shredded carrots and canned fried onions. She tops it all with pickled ginger, sesame seeds and seaweed snacks, which are a nod to the nori seaweed found in many rolls.”
Drummond demonstrated how to make the California roll bowls recipe on an episode of The Pioneer Woman. “It’s hot outside but it is cool in here. We’re making chilled-out recipes,” she explained. “All of this is served cold and it’s so refreshing in the heat of summer. I’m going to make sushi bowls — namely, California roll bowls.”
The Food Network host continued, “These are really delightful. If you’re a big fan of California rolls or any kind of sushi rolls — which, I am — you’re gonna love these.”
She started by making an easy dressing for the crab meat by combining mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a bowl. Drummond added imitation crab to the dressing. “It is fish. Some people think that imitation crab is not real fish but it is,” she explained. It’s just a really kind of a cheap white fish and they make it look like crab and they make it taste like crab.”
Drummond added, “So it’s basically like a little crab salad, which is what is often on the inside of sushi rolls.”
‘The Pioneer Woman’ star assembled the easy bowls
To build the bowls, Drummond pulled together all the components of the deconstructed ‘roll.’ She made sticky microwave rice, noting, “You have to have sticky rice when it comes to sushi so that’s why I used this.”
She drizzled rice vinegar over the rice, tucked pieces of seaweed on the side, piled on the crab salad, and topped it with other sushi ingredients, including shredded carrots, tiny cucumber slices, pickled ginger, green onions, sesame seeds, siracha, and soy sauce.
Drummond had one unique ingredient in the bowl, too. “You know sometimes when you get sushi rolls and they’re topped with crunchy little fried onions? Well these are French fried onions from a can,” she explained.
“California roll bowls — I tell you what, this is going to be my favorite summertime treat this year,” Drummond said. “So much flavor. Divine and so pretty!”
The full recipe is available on the Food Network website.
‘The Pioneer Woman’ star loves sushi
During an interview with Delish, Drummond said she doesn’t typically order steak in restaurants.
“The last thing I’d order is steak; it’s one of my favorite dinners, but we cook it all the time,” she shared.
Instead, she opts for something she doesn’t cook on the ranch or can find in her small town. “I love sushi, and I usually order it because it’s the farthest thing from what I make at home,” Drummond explained.
