How to Make a Sushi Brain for Halloween

This frighteningly real-looking smoked salmon appetizer is perfect for your Halloween spread.

By: Food Network Kitchen

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©copywrite_LucySchaefferPhotography

Photo By: Heather Ramsdell ©Food Network 2016

It's a No-Brainer

This isn't a real brain — but it looks like one! To make it you'll need one ripe avocado, cream cheese, seasoned cooked sushi rice, smoked salmon and red tobiko (flying fish roe).

By Heather Ramsdell and Clifford Endo for Food Network Kitchen

Photography by Heather Ramsdell

Prep the Avocado

Halve your avocado lengthwise and remove the pit. Carefully peel each half. Make 2 small balls of cream cheese; press one into the cavity of one avocado half where the pit used to be.

Stuff with Cream Cheese

Stuff the other avocado half with cream cheese.

Press Together

Press the two halves back together again; the cream cheese should adhere them.

Cover with Rice

Pack cooled, cooked seasoned sushi rice all around the avocado in the shape of a brain, leaving an indentation along the center.

Prep the Salmon

Thinly slice (or separate slices of) smoked salmon. Roll each slice into an irregular shape.

Cover the Rice

Stick each rolled slice of salmon onto the rice in a squiggly pattern so the whole thing resembles a brain. Work quickly and neatly, making sure your hands are clean and cool.

Wrap with Plastic

Keep working until the sides are completely covered, but leave the indentation along the center of the "brain" uncovered. Gently press plastic wrap around it to squeeze the salmon together and hide any rice peeking through the sides.

Add Tobiko

Remove the plastic wrap and gently spoon red tobiko (flying fish roe) into the indentation along the center of the brain.

Wrap with Plastic

Press another sheet of plastic wrap over the brain to shape it again; remove it carefully.

It's Almost Too Real

Now you have an appetizer that looks like a real brain but tastes like a smoked salmon sushi roll.

The Finishing Touch

Serve slices of the "brain" with wasabi, soy sauce and pickled ginger.

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Halloween

How to Make a Sushi Brain for Halloween

Related To:

It's a No-Brainer

Prep the Avocado

Stuff with Cream Cheese

Press Together

Cover with Rice

Prep the Salmon

Cover the Rice

Wrap with Plastic

Add Tobiko

Wrap with Plastic

It's Almost Too Real

The Finishing Touch

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