| Once virtually unknown in the USA, sushi is now a | | | | sushi rolls, is a type of algae. Pressed, dried and |
| common food associated with the Japanese. So | | | | flavored with teriyaki and salt, the nori is often |
| what is sushi? Basically, sushi is cooked rice that | | | | eaten alone as a snack, though nori used in sushi |
| has been treated with vinegar and then topped | | | | making is rarely flavored with teriyaki. |
| with other ingredients, most commonly seafood. | | | | Condiments used to compliment sushi include soy |
| It can also be rolled into a cylinder and sliced, | | | | sauce, pickled ginger, gomashio (roasted sesame |
| which is called makizushi. Sushi is different from | | | | seeds and sea salt) and wasabi (a green |
| raw sliced fish (served without a bed or rice), | | | | horseradish paste). True wasabi has anti-microbial |
| which is called sashimi. The traditional form of | | | | properties which reduce the risk of food poisoning. |
| sushi is fermented fish and rice, preserved in salt. | | | | A commonly used substitute is horseradish and |
| Sushi literally means "it's sour", not raw, a | | | | mustard powder mixed with a green dye, |
| misconception of the Western world. | | | | sometimes called "Japanese Horseradish." In |
| So how is sushi made? Sushi rice is special, | | | | traditional Japanese sushi bars, green tea is always |
| short-grained variety of white rice. After cooking, | | | | included with the meal. Sake is another common |
| it is mixed with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. | | | | drink served with sushi. Sake, a wine made from |
| Sometimes sake is added. The rice has to be | | | | rice, is normally served hot in the winter and cold |
| seasoned at room temperature or it will be too | | | | with lemon in the summer months. |
| sticky to handle. Traditionally, it is mixed in a | | | | Want to impress your friends or family? Host a |
| hangiri, a round wooden tub, with a shamoji, a | | | | sushi party - it's easier than you think. Prepare a |
| wooden paddle. The consistency of the rice is | | | | low table with some cushions or mats surrounding |
| different from the long-grain rice of India and | | | | it. Place a simple vase with a flower or two on |
| Vietnam. What makes the Japanese rice so | | | | the table. Purchase or download some traditional |
| desirable for sushi is its stickiness. While different | | | | Japanese music that includes the shakuhachi (flute) |
| regions of Japan use different types of vinegar | | | | and shamisen (stringed instrument) to play in the |
| and seasonings for the rice, the rice variety | | | | background. Buy a low cost vintage kimono for |
| remains consistent throughout Japan. | | | | your guests or just one for yourself if you are |
| Traditional Japanese sushi is topped with raw fish. | | | | serving. Purchase fresh sushi to go at your |
| Uncooked fish of course must be fresher and of | | | | favorite restaurant or food store (make sure you |
| higher quality than fish that is cooked, which is | | | | use it right away). Use a wooden platter for the |
| why professional sushi chefs are trained to | | | | sushi and small plates for each guest. Don't forget |
| recognize high quality fish. They have to be able | | | | the chopsticks! Heat some sake, make some |
| to judge a fish's characteristics, which include | | | | green tea, light the candles, turn down the lights, |
| smell, color, and firmness. Commonly used fish are | | | | and you are ready to go. A wonderful evening in |
| tuna, snapper, yellowtail, mackerel and salmon. | | | | Japan for your guests! |
| Nori, the black seaweed wrapper used to make | | | | |