I love sushi (so do three of my five daughters). The thing is, sushi isn’t cheap (and if it is, be afraid, be very afraid). Last week I took my girls to a local restaurant that serves half-price sushi at lunch, our bill for 5 people was STILL $70 (not including tip) shh… don’t tell my husband.
Since I had such good luck making California Rolls and Vegetable Rolls a while back, I thought it was time to add to our homemade sushi repertoire. We all really like Caterpillar Rolls so I decided to give it a go. If you don’t know what’s in a caterpillar roll it is made with unagi (eel), cucumbers, nori (seaweed) and rice, topped with thin slices of avocado.
Slight problem… freshwater eel isn’t exactly readily available at the local Lowes Foods. I did some research and found out that catfish baked in a BBQ sauce makes a good substitute for unagi. I was a little skeptical, but willing to give it a go. I have to admit if I didn’t KNOW I was eating catfish in the roll I would swear it was eel. It has the same texture and taste, especially when made with my secret weapon, Berry Brothers Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce. And that my friends, is how you “North Carolina Style” sushi!
Click here for my “Homemade Caterpillar Rolls, North Carolina Style” recipe.
Berry Brothers is a family-owned and operated North Carolina business created by Adam Dillard in 2015. Born and raised in Raleigh, NC and brought up in his family’s catering business, Adam developed a passion for food and trained under chefs in the business.
Adam, along with two childhood friends who were like brothers to him, had the idea to create and sell a variety of sauces and dressings they had enjoyed growing up. Shortly after the initial phases of the business, they were faced with the sudden and tragic loss of their oldest brother. In his honor the dream moved forward and the first sauces were put into bottles. To learn more about the story, visit the Berry Brothers website.
Adam started off demonstrating and selling Berry Brothers sauces at small venues with good success. Encouraged by the local support Adam signed up as a vendor for the Got to be NC Festival in 2016 and presented his products to his largest audience yet. Over the past two years the company has really taken off.
Berry Brothers currently sells five all-natural condiments, Strawberry Rosemary Vinaigrette, Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce, Blueberry BBQ Sauce, Carolina Cajun Blend and Rib Rub, all made using premium fruits, vegetables, herbs, vinegars, and oils. When available, the berries used in their products are sourced from local North Carolina farms. You can find delicious recipes on their website, including Adam’s favorite recipe, Strawberry Chipotle Ribs, which utilizes Berry Brothers Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce and the Rib Rub.
Berry Brothers products are available for purchase in many stores throughout the area, as well as on their website and through Amazon.com. You can also connect with Berry Brothers on Facebook and Instagram.
Catfish Unagi & Kabayaki Sauce
Ingredients
For the Kabayaki sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar (sometimes just called rice vinegar)
- 1/4 cup Berry Brothers Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce
For the Unagi
- 2 catfish fillets
- Berry Brothers Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Instructions
For the Kabayaki sauce
- Combine the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and BBQ sauce in a small pot.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for about half an hour.
- Let cool.
For the Unagi
- Heat the oven to 375°F.
- Place catfish fillets in individual foil packets
- Cover each fillet with Berry Brothers Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce.
- Bake approximately 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily (keep an eye on the catfish, doesn’t overcook it).
- Let cool.
Homemade Caterpillar Rolls, North Carolina Style
Ingredients
North Carolina style kabayaki sauce (see recipe above)
2 cups prepared sushi rice, cooled
2 fillets of catfish unagi, cut into about 1/2 inch strips (see recipe above)
2 Avocados (halved, peeled, pitted and thinly sliced)
1 English cucumber, Â julienned
1 pack unseasoned nori
Sesame Seeds, if desired
Sriracha Mayo, if desired
Instructions
(If you need a little more help, here is a video showing you how to roll the sushi.)
https://youtu.be/hfNhqawvSr8?t=5m11s
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I think this is absolutely amazing. Well done. I think I would like the catfish. I’ve probably had eel in my sushi all the time, but the thought of eel does nothing for me, honestly. They look horrible and scary. Too snake like for me. This is a better alternative. The sauces sound great. Can’t wait to taste them at the fare.
Haha! I fed my husband an eel roll once and he loved it. When I told him what it was he spit it out like it was poison!
I am super intrigued by your idea of swapping catfish for eel. Very creative. I love sushi too, but haven’t been brave enough to make it at home.
Those look so delicious AND so fun! I love them. They’d be so perfect for any party. Om nom nom.
That’s the best sushi setup I’ve seen in a while. That’s practically a work of sushi art.
I have met Adam on a few occasions. He is such a great guy and works so hard to perfect his flavors! I’m so glad you worked with him to tell the world about Berry Brothers! I am impressed with your sushi-making mojo!
My son is going to eat this up! No pun intended. He LOVES Sushi! I do not know if he eats the raw fish kind or not ( I do not think so ). Thanks for the recipe we will have fun making it together some time.
Love the tip about the catfish! We can’t find eel around here either haha but we love sushi! Also, I need that BBQ sauce in my life!!
This style of sushi looks fabulous! I love how you dressed it with the North Carolina style kabayashi sauce, sriracha mayo and sesame seeds to add a bit of flair to this dish. I also like that this dish has a bit of kick to it. A bit of spice is always nice.
I will have to try making this on the weekend. It looks so delicious and easy to make. I am sure the kids will love it.
I’ve never had these, but they sure do look fun! I love the way you lay it all out!
I am so impressed with your caterpillar rolls! I love sushi & sashimi, but I’ve never tried making it myself – love the idea of starting with something like this to practice the technique. Your instructions are great 🙂 What a fun way to use a delicious local product –
You amaze me. I’ve had kitchenware for sushi for YEARS. Nothing… This looks great. You know I’m not a fish eater, but I still love the rest of it. Wonder what I could replace that with? 😉
You could totally substitute tofu or chicken, cooking it in the BBQ sauce. It won’t be exactly the same, but still good! It really is easier than you think. The “hard” part is prep. Cutting up the veggies, making the rice then letting it cool…
I love all the avocado in them! My favorite! These are great looking – I should try my hand at sushi!
I love the ingenuity! Sushi is one of my fave foods, but anything with avocado! Oooh! Great job and fun for the family too!
I’ll have to show it to my husband. He makes his own sushi and I think it’s so cool that he does. And you too!
Oh my goodness, we were just talking about trying to make sushi at home. Hubby in I are in desperate need of a sushi fix and can’t leave our daughter just yet. Trying this asap.
The caterpillar roll looks fun and delicious. I also love unagi! I wish I could make mine as beautiful as your sushis.
Oh my goodness how absolutely fun are they! I can just imagine tucking into some for lunch today!
Oh WOW! This is a really original recipe idea! I’m going to look forward to making these myself. My picky eater kids may even want to give them a try because these caterpillar rolls look so impressive.
Wow these look so good! I love the way they turned out!
Your caterpillars look so cute and delicious. My family would love it if I made these. We usually only go out for Sushi for specials occasions.
These actually look really good. I’ve never had actual sushi before though. This makes me want to give this recipe a try. Love that it’s like a caterpillar too!
I have never heard of this, but it looks delicious! It is super cute too!!
Those are cute. I am the only one that will eat sushi in our house. I too don’t like anything with raw fish. The texture of raw fish creeps me out.
I should try to make a California roll at home.
Man….. I wish I liked sushi! These are so cute and I bet delish to those who love sushi!
This is so cute, but creepy, but cute at the same time. I think it is super creative!
My daughter would love those, I wish I can do it. You did a great job and so creative.
So easy! Restaurant quality sushi! Recipes for dynamite sauce, unagi sauce,baked volcano roll, spicy tuna roll and more all in one post!
Sushi is one of my fave foods. I tried making it at home, but it just isn’t the same!
I love this recipe. I make sushi at home and this will be a fun new roll to try.
My husband loves sushi! He would love if I made him this this weekend as we rarely go out for Sushi. Thank you so much for sharing this.
This is adorable! Even though I don’t eat sushi since I’m a vegetarian, I think this is pretty neat, nonetheless. 🙂
Wow, these caterpillar rolls look amazing! I have never tried to make sushi at home, but you make it look easy enough that I will have to try it!
The story about the brothers was cool to include here. I have not tried to make sushi at home partly because I am holding off until I can find the place to buy sushi-grade salmon (my favorite!) Catfish is different, I might give it a go with this one!
Yum! Both the hubs and I love sushi, but we’ve not tried preparing sushi at home because we thought it’s difficult. I think it’s quite easy after reading your post. We have to try preparing one using your recipe one of these days.
I’ve never been a fan of sushi, but this could totally have a thin sliced beef or pork in it. Looks delicious.
I’ve always been intimidated to try to make my own sushi, but this recipe sounds too good to not try! xx, I’m Fixin’ To