Pickled Okra Sushi - The Local Palate

Ingredients

• For the sushi rice:
• 2½ cups short-grain white rice
• ¾ cup rice vinegar
• ⅓ cup superfine or caster sugar
• 3 teaspoons salt
• For the sushi roll:
• 4 (4x7-inch) nori sheets
• 3 cups sushi rice
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
• 4 teaspoons cream cheese at room temperature (optional)
• 8 large pickled okra
• ½ carrot, peeled and julienned
• ½ red bell pepper, julienned
• 8 green beans, blanched
• Sweet chili sauce for serving
• Special equipment:
• Rice cooker, rice paddle or wooden spoon, large and small nonmetal bowls, bamboo sushi mat