October 7, 2014
(last updated May 6, 2023) 
Man. I’m excited about this recipe.
This nori roll contains three of my favorite things, rolled up in a handy little package. It is delicious, it is beautiful, and while it’s not exactly easy to make (because nori rolls are always a little fussy), the components are all simple and can be enjoyed on their own, as well as in the roll itself. And, when you take your first bite into a salty, sweet, creamy piece of the nori roll, you’ll be intent upon making the recipe again as soon as possible. I’m already scheming about my next batch.
Full disclosure: my original intention had been to use Japanese yam (which I love, love, love) in this recipe, rather than regular sweet potato. I think it would have been delicious. But I ran out and the health store near me ran out, too, so sweet potatoes swooped in and saved the day. I still want to know what the rolls would taste like with Japanese yam, but I have to say that the orange color of sweet potatoes makes the dish all the prettier.
Here’s the recipe. I challenge you not to eat all of the sweet potato miso mash before rolling!
Nori Rolls with Miso Sweet Potato Mash, Kimchee, and Massaged Kale
Author -Ingredients
- For the sweet potato miso mash:
- 1 1/4 pounds sweet potato about 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons mellow white miso
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- Black pepper to taste
- For the massaged kale salad:
- 1 bunch curly kale about 12-16 ounces, washed, dried, stems removed, and chopped into small pieces
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small avocado diced
- 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the nori rolls:
- 4 sheets nori
- 1 batch sweet potato mash
- 1 batch massaged kale salad
- 1 scant cup kimchee of choice I love Mama O's
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F. Prick each potato a few times with a fork, and place them on a baking sheet. Roast them for 35-45 minutes, or until they're fork-tender.
- Allow the potatoes to cool enough for you to handle them. Cut them in half and scoop the flesh out. To mash the potatoes, two options: 1) Use a food processor to pulse the potatoes, along with the almond milk, miso, and pepper, till it's semi smooth (you're aiming for smashed potatoes more than silky smooth mashed potatoes). Or 2) use a potato masher to mash the sweet potato, miso, almond milk, and pepper up. I personally like to use my processor, but I've been told by foodie friends that this is sacrilege.
- To prepare the kale salad, place the kale in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil, avocado, lemon, and salt. "Massage" the ingredients into the kale, using strong hands and taking your time, until the kale is creamy and wilted down.
- To prepare the sushi, lay a sushi sheet in front of you, with the shorter side of the rectangle facing you. Spread about 1/3-1/2 cup of the sweet potato mash on the nori roll. You should start a few inches above the bottom of the sheet and end a few inches below the top of the sheet. Create a layer of kale salad on top of that, and then make a horizontal strip of kimchee in the center. Roll the nori sheet up, starting at the bottom and going all the way to the top. Make a strip of moisture along the top edge of the nori sheet, so that it seals up when you finish rolling. Cut each roll into about 5 pieces.
- Repeat the process 4 more times. You'll probably have some leftover sweet potato and kale leftover, which you can enjoy on its own!
- The rolls will last for two days in the fridge, but they're best if eaten quickly.
Notes
Vegan, gluten free
Nori rolls can be a pain, not gonna lie, and this is especially true of nori rolls that have soft fillings (which most raw nori rolls do — avocado, nut pate, etc.). You may need a few practice rolls to get the jist of things, but I promise that, once you do, you’ll be rolling like a pro. And you’ll be savoring this wonderful side dish/appetizer.
Speaking of “side dish / appetizer,” that’s how I’d serve these. But, if you serve them alongside a nice, nutrient dense salad (with some quality protein, like legumes or quinoa, in it), you’ll have a lovely lunch or light dinner on your hands.
Enjoy the recipe. And if you’re liking the sweet potato and nori combination, you can also take a peek at my sweet potato and beet nori rolls.
Finally, a quick reminder: I have two fabulous giveaways in progress right now! The first is a giveaway to win two tubs of Nuzest USA protein powder in any flavor of your choosing. I love Nuzest USA protein and can’t get enough of it, and I’m excited to be sharing with you all. Nuzest is also offering all CR readers a 10% discount and free shipping on all orders, so take advantage!
I’m also giving away a free copy of Fran Costigan’s terrific and gorgeous book, Vegan Chocolate. This book is a must-read for any vegan chef who loves to create sumptuous desserts. I definitely recommend checking it out, and while you’re at it, check out my blog post to grab Fran’s recipe for warm chocolate cashew cream pudding. Noms.
Till soon,
xo
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Categories: Recipes,
Side Dishes
Ingredients: Kale, Sweet Potato
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Tree Nut Free, Vegan
Ingredients: Kale, Sweet Potato
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Tree Nut Free, Vegan
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Just made these last night and they are FABULOUS! (I even ate the leftovers for breakfast. They were that good!) I also made your toasted pumpkin pecan granola (here’s the recipe for anyone who hasn’t tried it: https://www.thefullhelping.com/edible-giving-toasted-pumpkin-and-cranberry-granola/) It was delicious, as always, though I wish I hadn’t substituted sunbutter for the almond butter!
One more note: if any DC area readers see this comment, I wholeheartedly recommend No. 1 Son’s kimchee and lactofermented pickles (all vegan) if you’re neither willing nor able to make your own.
Oh man do these ever sound scrum-diddly-umptious! And they are so pretty! The sweet potato does really make it that much prettier, even if that wasn’t the original intent ;p
Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe with us. I imagine they will be making their way into my lunch this week!
I have some nori rolls in my kitchen I’ve been wanting to use for ages for traditional sushi (well, not sure how traditional vegan sushi really is…) just didn’t appeal to me. But sweet potato + kale = YUM.
This looks so great that I want to try my nori wrapping skills again! Thanks!
I was just about to try blending up some yam and miso with no real idea what I would do with it but this gets my creative juices going. The only problem I have is this humid climate + nori = stale nori within minutes sometimes. It gets weird and chewy. I guess that means eat fast!
OMG! I lived in Japan in the 90s and fell in love with sushi and sashimi while there. Since becoming vegan, it has been challenging to find or make interesting nori rolls, but these look AMAZING! Thank you thank you thank you. Mari x
At the risk of knocking down my foodie status a few notches, what do Japanese yams taste like in comparison to garnet yams (aka sweet potatoes)? I’ve never had them! I’ve been tempted to buy them at the market, but always end up opting for my failure-proof garnets.
Also: could you possibly fit ANY more deliciousness into one roll?! I think not.
These look so fantastic, Gena! I’m curious–what did you use for a dipping sauce?
this is full of my favorite things. seriously, some of my staple recipes of yours are with pepitas, carrots, and mellow miso variations. i shop every week at an asian market to i have plenty of japanese sweet potatoes (white flesh) and the ube (purple yam varieties). can’t wait to try this one in my lunches next week!
Yum! This will be a delicious roll to make soon! 🙂 I’m sure it will wow guests as an appetizer!
Seriously the best nori roll ingredient combination! Love it.
I honestly don’t eat sushi enough, and these look like just the right amount of “twist” to a recipe that leaves me wanting more. Kale? Yes! Sweet potato? Yes! Now all I need is cacao…..maybe separately though, huh? 😉
these look perfect! we love making nori rolls 😉
Gena, these look fabulous. I love the combination. Will try this out. xo
Pretty, indeed. I’ve never been totally sure of soft nori rolls, but this one’s v. tempting.