Jack-O-Lantern Carrot Rice

To make in a rice cooker:

1. Combine the rice, carrot juice, water, salt, and sugar. Cook according to manufacturer settings.

To make in a saucepan:

1. Bring carrot juice, water, salt, and optionally sugar to a boil.
2. Add rice, cover, reduce heat to simmer, and cook until all the liquid has absorbed (without removing lid), about 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, remove cover, lightly fluff with a fork, and allow to cool just enough to handle.

To assemble:

1. Use a craft knife, paring knife, scissors, or stencils to cut desired jack-o-lantern shapes out of nori.
2. Discard the white and light green sections of green onion. Cut the dark green blades into 1 inch (2.5 centimeter) pieces.
3. Place a small bowl of water next to work surface. Wet hands and form handful-sized scoops of rice into a ball. If desired, wrap the rice in plastic wrap to help form a round shape.
4. Optionally, use a string to press into the sides of the ball to make the ribs of the pumpkin (ridges running from top to bottom).
5. Carefully press the cut out nori pieces in desired pattern on the front of each ball of rice.
6. Gently push the end of the green onion piece into the top to make the stem.
7. Serve immediately.