| We all know that in this economy, cash is hard to | | | | you can have them bring a side dish such as |
| come by, especially during the holiday season. | | | | edamame (soybeans) or sake (rice wine) or even |
| However, you can throw a great sushi-themed | | | | dessert, maybe a green tea ice cream. Many of |
| party no matter the occasion, and it's more | | | | these items can be found at major grocery |
| affordable than you think! | | | | stores and this could help to minimize your costs.o |
| Why not host a sushi themed holiday dinner?! | | | | Research various sushi recipes online, both hot |
| Trade that dry turkey and stuffing in for some | | | | and cold, cooked and raw, to start developing |
| great tasting and healthy sushi, and start a | | | | your menu. When developing your menu, select |
| tradition of your own! For any occasion, sushi is a | | | | ingredients that are in season and grown or |
| yummy and popular way to go...you can just | | | | produced locally. By doing this, you will save on |
| throw a "We Love Sushi" party, too! | | | | cost and ensure the freshest ingredients.o Make a |
| You will really impress your guests with your | | | | few calls to your local grocery chain or seafood |
| exotic menu and they will appreciate your unique | | | | market to see what fish is in season. Ask if they |
| theme. You can host a Sushi Party that your | | | | have any sushi grade fish and the price. Sushi |
| relatives and guests will be wowed by. Just don't | | | | grade fish normally has been frozen for a specific |
| blame me when they beg you to throw a Sushi | | | | period of time to kill any parasites that might |
| Party over and over again! | | | | have been in the fish, i.e. according to minimum |
| Hosting a party at home can be a very stressful | | | | health standards -4 degrees Fahrenheit or lower |
| and daunting task, especially if are cooking a full | | | | for at least 7 days). Ask if they have any |
| course meal for your guests. When planning any | | | | seafood on sale...you may even ask who their fish |
| get together, you must do the leg work | | | | suppliers are to purchase wholesale, if you are |
| regardless of what is being prepared. However, | | | | buying a large quantity of fish.o To learn how to |
| these tips can eliminate your stress, while keeping | | | | make sushi, you can either learn via the internet, |
| more of your hard earned money in your bank | | | | which is full of resources (YouTube is a great |
| account. | | | | source!) or purchase a sushi book if you feel |
| Planning Phase (can be done on the internet, from | | | | adventurous and don't mind the mess. It will take |
| the comfort of your own home)o Determine | | | | some trial and error, and also practice, but you'll |
| your budget. Having a limited budget, you need to | | | | get it sooner than you think!o If you don't feel |
| get the most bang for your buck. This means | | | | comfortable making the sushi, you have another |
| you will have to find great deals and do a lot of | | | | alternative. Ask family members of friends if they |
| the leg work yourself.o Send out RSVP's to | | | | know of a Sushi chef that you can hire on a per |
| determine how many people will attend. By | | | | hour basis to prepare sushi "live" at your event. |
| knowing who will be attending, you will have a | | | | Another great idea is to visit your favorite sushi |
| better idea if you should cater towards vegetarian | | | | restaurant and ask the sushi chef if he works |
| sushi recipes, fish recipes or both. If the majority | | | | private parties. In this economy, you won't have |
| of people attending don't feel comfortable with | | | | difficulty finding a sushi chef at a decent price and |
| raw fish, you can prepare "cooked" sushi recipes | | | | since they are already in the industry, they may |
| (i.e. tempura roll, Philadelphia roll with smoked | | | | be able to get the ingredients at wholesale price |
| salmon, cooked shrimp nigiri, California roll, and | | | | for you! |
| etc.) and not as much sashimi or spicy raw tuna | | | | By doing most of the leg work above, you can |
| roll. You get the idea and besides, if you stay | | | | save between 30 to 50% of the cost of |
| away from the sushi grade ingredients needed for | | | | Japanese sushi restaurant. The savings can be put |
| sashimi, you will save money there, as well.o | | | | towards a couple of good bottles of Sake to |
| Depending on your guests, if they are close | | | | toast with your friends. |
| friends or family and want to bring something, | | | | |