Can You Soften Nori?

[SheilaKay]

Today is my first day raw and I decided to make a nori roll. I purchased the untoasted version and filled it with avocado and cucumber. I dipped the pieces in wasabi. I'm not sure if wasabi is raw since I have a jar of the powdered root and have to mix it with water.

My problem is that the nori when not toasted and having the moisture from the rice was hard to bite into. I wonder does anyone know if you can somehow soften it or will that make it mushy and tear or fall apart?

Thanks,
Sheila

[rawpriestess]

Nori is a dehydrated product, so if you add a bit of water it will get more flexible, you can spritz it and allow to sit, if too wet, place in the dehydrator to dry out, eventually you'll find the right amount of moisture to have in them

[Lady Green Jeans]

SheilaKay,

When I used to eat Calfornia roll at the sushi bar, I was told the proper way was to dip and then put the entire piece in your mouth. They are supposed to have a resistance to the bite which is also an indication of their freshness.

When I made the raw version, I couldn't eat all of the rolls in one sitting. The leftovers did get quite soft and the nori tore. Personl choice, but I didn't enjoy them that soft. I usually try to make my rolls not too large in diameter so I can eat each piece without biting it in half--for neatness' sake.

[SheilaKay]

Thanks for the responses. I cut the pieces too long to dip and eat the whole piece because the nori was too hard to cut. I'll try spritzing them a little with water since I eat them as I am making them. I really have no patience to let them sit around since they are so good.
Thanks again,
Sheila

[Sheryl]

Letting them site for a while is an easy way to let them soften too. Even the moisture from avocado is enough to soften them to biteable strength in just a few minutes. Especially for small rolls the many layers of nori sometimes make them hard to bite!

Cheers,
Sheryl