| If you want to make sushi, you should know that | | | | short grained rice and water in equal proportions |
| there are more varieties to sushi than the | | | | until the rice is cooked. You can then add a |
| ordinary fusion of raw fish and rice. A Japanese | | | | tablespoon of sushi vinegar per cup of rice. |
| staple that has earned the favor of the rest of | | | | In order to make sushi of the nigiri variety, start |
| the world, sushi is now considered to be one of | | | | by shaping a small mound of sushi rice through |
| the most popular Asian dishes. Sushi has evolved | | | | your hands. Use about two tablespoons of rice |
| into more than a culinary treat but an enduring art | | | | and roll them into a well-shaped oval. Flatten the |
| form, after it has originated in the Muromachi | | | | top of the mound and spread wasabi paste on |
| period when fish and rice were first fermented | | | | the surface. If you don't fancy wasabi however, |
| together. | | | | you can omit this step. Finally, you can place the |
| Some Truths About Sushi | | | | thin slice of raw fish or shrimp on top, usually |
| Making sushi can be done in several ways, | | | | about 2x5 cm in size. To secure the sushi, cut a |
| whether rolled in nori sheets, stuffed inside tofu | | | | strip of nori and wrap the thin band around the |
| pouches, or even scattered over vinegared rice. | | | | rice and fish. |
| All these make sushi a versatile dish that can be | | | | Maki sushi is a roll of nori, sushi and fillings which |
| eaten anytime during the day. Contrary to popular | | | | are cut into medium sizes. Temaki sushi involves |
| notion, sushi does not refer to the raw fish or | | | | shaping the nori into a cone and stuffing it with |
| raw seafood itself. Sushi is actually the vinegared | | | | rice and fillings. Chirashi sushi is just scattered |
| rice that is served together with the raw or | | | | sushi, with toppings of vegetables and sashimi |
| cooked seafood, and then dipped in sauces before | | | | spread over the sushi rice. You can also make |
| eating. | | | | sushi without using the nori but tofu pouches |
| It is important to note however, that fish and | | | | instead. This is called the inari sushi. |
| other seafood used in making sushi can either be | | | | Important Sushi Tips |
| raw or cooked. Although the traditional means of | | | | When you use raw fish or seafood, remember to |
| serving sushi involves placing a slice of raw fish on | | | | choose the freshest ones available. Sushi masters |
| top of a bed of vinegared rice and then tying | | | | typically prefer to use deep saltwater fish types |
| these with a band of nori, the contemporary | | | | like salmon and tuna since they are normally free |
| ways of serving this Oriental staple have | | | | from parasites. Fresh water fish are more prone |
| embraced the use of non-traditional ingredients like | | | | to parasites, thus placing you at risk for infection |
| cucumber, mayonnaise and wasabi sauces and | | | | and diseases. |
| even mango strips. | | | | There are several health issues confronting the |
| The Basics of Sushi Making | | | | consumption of sushi on a regular basis and one |
| If you want to make sushi, consider first if you | | | | of these is the alarming levels of mercury present |
| would rather eat raw seafood or not. You can | | | | in raw fish and other seafood. However, you can |
| always use other substitutes such as boiled crab | | | | always choose to have the fish cooked or to |
| meat, squid, shrimp, fish roe, and even sea urchin. | | | | enjoy other fillings as well. Fish is an excellent |
| Making nigiri sushi is very simple, and you only | | | | source of omega 3 fatty acids and is a better |
| need seasoned or vinegared rice as the base, a | | | | alternative to most red meats. When you make |
| slice of raw or cooked fish or any other seafood, | | | | sushi, always remember that you can enjoy this |
| and wasabi sauce. Sushi rice can be prepared | | | | exotic treat in more delicious ways than one. |
| ahead of time, and this can be done by boiling | | | | |