Julie's “Pipe Dream” Sushi Appetizer

1 cup spicy tuna (recipe below)
3 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tsp. sesame seeds
1/4 cup green onions chopped
1 cup sticky rice (Oriental section at your grocer)
1 avocado, diced
1 medium cucumber, diced
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 cup Wasabi tobiko (get at any sushi restaurant)
1 small can bean sprouts (Oriental section at your grocer)
Soy Sauce
Shredded ginger root
garlic powder
sesame seed oil
Wasabi sauce

This recipe makes an outstanding sushi-style appetizer for your dinner guests. Since none of us are sushi chefs and expert at rolling sushi, Julie uses a tube to form it. In this case she used a 4-inch section of 4-inch diameter PVC pipe. Sand the edges smooth and run it through your dishwasher first. If raw tuna is not your thing, any of your favorite seafoods such as smoked salmon, crab, or shrimp can be substituted.

Spicy tuna: Dice fresh, raw tuna steak to quarter-inch cubes. Mix with 1 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce, 1 tsp. sesame seeds, a couple dashes garlic powder, and a dash or two of sesame seed oil. Marinate in refrigerator for two hours. Drain any excess sauce mixture before using.

Prepare sticky rice per package instructions and let cool.

Mix 2 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce and 2 Tbsp. of Mayo together and set aside.

Chop avocado and cover with lemon juice, chop green onion, and peeled/seeded cucumber, set aside until ready to assemble.

Begin building layers, rice first, drizzle with small amount of soy sauce, add small amounts of avocado, cucumber, shredded ginger, and tuna with a dab more soy sauce. Pack lightly and repeat to fill tube. Carefully push the layered stack through the end of the tube.

Top with wasabi tobiko, chopped green onion and bean sprouts. Drizzle with sweet chili sauce and mayo mixture.

Serve with toasted, seasoned bread slices or pita chips with a bit of extra ginger root, soy sauce and wasabi paste on the side for dipping.

To save time - spicy tuna, sticky rice, wasabi tobiko and shaved ginger root can be obtained from a sushi restaurant and all you have to do is a little chopping and layering for an impressive appetizer.