Easy Sushi How To

If you love sushi as much as I do, you are eventually going to have to face the facts like I did. Sushi is too expensive, and looks too easy to not make it myself. I am so picky when it comes to sushi, that I often find something I don't like about a roll almost everywhere I go. I decided that the best way to get amazing sushi is to either learn to speak Japanese so that I can order correctly, OR just learn how to make it myself. I scoured Pinterest looking for recipes, but to not much avail. Most of the recipes were too hard, involved materials I didn't own, or were just ridiculous. I picked up pointers from a few people, a couple of pins, and great post on Ree Drummonds website. I always change up the recipe for whatever it is that I am cooking (Notice I said cooking, NOT baking. Baking all comes down to a science. The measurements have to be correct or the recipe will fail.)

 You will need:
Sushi Rice- 3 Cups
Rice Wine Vinegar - 1 T
Sugar- 1 T
Nori (Seaweed wraps) - about 10
Filler Ingredients- *whatever you desire
* I like to use cream cheese, avocado, jalapeno, imitation crab, shrimp, crawfish tails, pineapple, and baby spinach.


That pineapple was on sale for 99 cents!






** I like to use fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible.




My first piece of advice to you is to have all of the ingredients/supplies ready to go beforehand. This makes assembly so much easier, and you will have to wash your hands less. I also like to keep a bowl of water next to my work station. This comes in handy when I need to quickly rinse something my hands, and wet fingers makes for easier rice distribution. I like to work on parchment paper, but couldn't find the tape. I settled for a placemat of aluminum foil.

To make the rice: Follow directions on the package to cook. Let the rice cool down, but not completely. Add the sugar and the vinegar. Wet fingers with water. Mix rice, sugar, and vinegar carefully.



Before laying the Nori down, I tear off an equal size of cling wrap, place it onto the foil, then follow up with the Nori.


*I don't think it matters if you place the shiny side up or down. I have done it both ways.



Wet your hands.
Sprinkle rice onto the Nori in little, sporadic clumps.
Re wet hands.
Spread rice.


*Try to make sure that the rice layer is spread evenly, or else your sushi roll will most likely end up lumpy.


Now, this is the point in time where you need to decided how you want to roll the sushi. Rice side out, or rice side in? I typically like the sushi better when the rice is on the outside. It seems like the more "American" way of doing it, and it tastes better.

If deciding to make your roll rice side out, I advise placing the cling wrap on top of the rice instead of under the nori as previously mentioned. After placing the cling wrap on top of the rice, carefully flip it over.
if deciding to make your roll rice side in, leave as is.

The next steps are pretty self explanatory. Layer on the ingredients one at a time, keeping them packed in together. Most sushi recipes show the ingredients being placed in the middle, but I find it A LOT easier to roll when the ingredients are placed closer to the front. This allows me to tuck the nori into itself for a tighter roll.

                               Step 1- Add Cream Cheese                            

 

Step 2: Add Imitation Crab (or whatever meat (or lack there of) you choose)

 

 Step 3: Add Jalapenos (or something crunchy, like cucumber)

Step 4: Add Pineapple (or other fruits/veggies)

Now, take the cling wrap, fold over, and tuck nori into itself. Squeeze it tightly, but not hard enough to damage it. Continue to roll it up making sure to cover ends of sushi. Let chill for about an hour (or eat it nor if you prefer) I just find that the ingredients lose temperature, and I like it all to be cold.

After chilling, place unwrapped sushi onto cutting board. Lightly pinch the roll together while cutting (into apx 8-9 pieces). I like to drizzle mine with homemade spicy mayo, eels sauce, and sometimes a sprinkle of tempura bread crumbs