Planning a party and need a good idea for an appetizer? Why not try serving up some California rolls. The recipe can be very versatile. If raw fish is not your thing then try substituting the raw fish for cooked crab meat. This guide will take you through all of the steps on how to make California rolls.

• There are a variety of ways that you can create California rolls, almost all of which depend on the ingredients you choose to add to the filling. This recipe calls for ingredients to create basic and easy California rolls. You should be able to get most of the ingredients and equipment at a large grocery store. However if you have trouble finding all the supplies then try a Japanese and Asian food store.

1. Prepare the sushi rice.
2. Rinse the sushi rice under cold running before cooking.
3. Cook rice for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Let rice cool to room temperature.
5. Prepare avocado and crab meat mixture.
6. Use plastic wrap on the rolling mat.
7. Use wet your fingers when spreading the rice.
8. When rolling up the rolls press the ingredients in to keep the roll firm.
9. Form a cylinder shape.
10. Seal the edge of the nori with a drop of water and press the seam closed.
11. Keep in refrigerator until needed.
12. Use a sharp knife to cut the roll into bite size pieces.

• YouTube Video: How to Prepare California Rolls (Time: 4:55)

• For the rice:
  • 2 cups sushi rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt

• For the rolls:
  • 4 sheets nori (dried seaweed)
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 cup crab meat
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Sesame seeds (optional)

• For the sauce:
  • Soy sauce

• Bamboo rolling mat

• Plastic wrap

• Mixing bowls

• Measuring spoons

• Measuring cups

• Sharp knife

• Saucepan

• Wooden spoon

• Strainer

• For a complete, step-by-step guide you can refer to Mahalo's page on how to make perfect sushi rice. But for a quick overview that will get you started just fine, continue on with this guide and follow the recipe below.

1. Place rice in strainer.Epicurious.com: Sushi Rice (April, 2000)
2. Rinse the sushi rice under cold running water until it runs the water runs clear.Epicurious.com: Sushi Rice (April, 2000)
3. Drain the rice.Beyond Salmon: Technique of the Week: How to make Sushi Rice (February 20, 2006)
4. Transfer the rice to a saucepan.Friends Eat: Sushi Rice
5. Add 2 cups of water and let rice soak for 10 to 15 minutes.Friends Eat: Sushi Rice
6. Place the saucepan with the rice and water on the stove.About.com: Sushi Rice Recipe - Japanese Recipe
7. Turn stove temperature to high and bring water to boil.UKTV Food: Sushi Rice
8. Reduce heat to low and place cover on saucepan.Food Network: Sushi Rice
9. Cook rice for 10 to 15 minutes.Food Network: Sushi Rice
10. When rice is cooked remove from stove.Food Network: Sushi Rice
11. Leave cover on saucepan and let the rice set for about 10 minutes.UKTV Food: Sushi Rice
12. While rice is cooling combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and mix well.Epicurious.com: Sushi Rice (April, 2000)
13. Transfer rice to a large glass bowl and add the vinegar mixture.Beyond Salmon: Technique of the Week: How to make Sushi Rice (February 20, 2006)
14. Cut or fold in thoroughly until rice is coated with vinegar mixture.Beyond Salmon: Technique of the Week: How to make Sushi Rice (February 20, 2006)
15. Let rice cool to room temperature.Food Network: Sushi Rice

• YouTube Video: How To Make Sushi Rice (Time: 3:03)

1. Peel an avocado and cut it into thin strips and set aside until needed.About.com: California Roll Recipe - Japanese Recipe
2. Combine the crab meat, salt and mayonnaise in a bowl, mix well and set aside until needed.About.com: California Roll Recipe - Japanese Recipe
3. Place a sheet of plastic wrap onto of the rolling mat.RecipeZaar: California Rolls (Japanese) (August 5, 2007)
4. Lay 1 nori sheet on a rolling mat.Whats Cooking America: California Rolls - American-Style Sushi Rolls
5. Wet your fingers with water.MedicineNet: Real California Roll (July 24, 2006)
6. Using your fingers, spread a thin layer (about 1/2 cup) of sushi rice on top of the seaweed and leaving 3/4 to 1 inch of border on each long side and press firmly.MedicineNet: Real California Roll (July 24, 2006)
7. Spread one-fourth of the crab mixture down the center of the rice rectangle.MedicineNet: Real California Roll
8. Place one-fourth of the avocado along center as well.MedicineNet: Real California Roll (July 24, 2006)
9. Roll mat over once, away from you and press the ingredients together to keep roll firm.Whats Cooking America: California Rolls - American-Style Sushi Rolls
10. Continue to roll the nori evenly and tightly away from you, pressing down slightly with each quarter turn and forming a cylinder-shaped.RecipeZaar: California Rolls (Japanese) (August 5, 2007)
11. Once the nori is completely rolled seal the edge of the nori with a drop of water and press the seam closed.Epicurious.com: California Rolls (August,1999)
12. Remove roll from the bamboo mat and sprinkle with sesame seeds.Food Network: California Rolls
13. Wrap it with the plastic wrap and keep in refrigerator until needed.Food Network: California Rolls

• YouTube Video: Sushi: How to make a California Roll (Time: 3:04)

1. Place a sharp knife under warm water.Open2.net: California Rolls (April 21, 2005)
2. Using the wet knife, cut each roll into bite size pieces.Whats Cooking America: California Rolls - American-Style Sushi Rolls
   • Tip: Cut gently to maintain shape.Whats Cooking America: California Rolls - American-Style Sushi Rolls
3. Garnish the rolls with shredded carrot. (optional).Kuali: California Roll with a Twist (June 26, 1998)
4. Arrange rolls on a serving platter and serve at room temperature with with soy sauce on the side.BellaOnline: California Sushi Roll Recipe Whats Cooking America: California Rolls - American-Style Sushi Rolls
   • Tip: Wasabi or pickled ginger may also be used for the sauce.Whats Cooking America: California Rolls - American-Style Sushi Rolls