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Every time I go out for sushi I marvel at the skill of the itamae (sushi chef) making my
sushi. He grabs a handful of rice, a piece of fish and in a flash I've got my
nigiri
sushi. He's a professional and has years of practice and his rolls, sushi, and
sashimi come out perfectly. It seems an impossible task to make such exquisite
food, however you would be surprised; making sushi at home is not as hard as it would
seem. Your rolls may not be perfectly sized and your
fish (neta) may be off
center, but if you use high quality ingredients and remember a few simple rules,
you too can make sushi at home that will satisfy your appetite just as much as
going out does. In addition, you can even turn the process into a party with your
friends, which I do on occasion.
Why not make sushi at home? It's cheaper than going out and can be quite fun. Plus, you have the
opportunity to make combinations or items that may not be available in your local sushi
restaurant. Be adventurous. Or not. Some people I know only want
California
rolls. I, however will try just about anything and use my home sushi making as
an opportunity to try things that I would never ask the itamae for. But when you make sushi at home you can tailor your dining to
both your comfort level and your wallet. A large piece of
hamachi (yellowtail)
is actually pretty cheap at my local Japanese market and what would normally be
an expensive meal can be fairly inexpensive when I source the ingredients
myself.
Remember, your first few attempts may be embarrassing. It's not a breeze, but
the more you make sushi at home the better you will get at it. Try not to get
discouraged. Unless you are a professional your sushi will never be perfect, but
it can still taste great. Just make your best attempt, relax, and follow our
how-to and you will be on your way to enjoying sushi at home, and the
satisfaction that will come with having made it yourself. I suggest reading
through the preparation and general tips sections before undertaking making
sushi at home to familiarize yourself with what you will need and what to think
about as you create your masterpieces.
Where can I find sushi grade fish and other seafood online?
Catalina
Offshore Products has the best sushi grade seafood available online, in my opinion.
Check them out
for almost everything you could ever want. Safety concerns
Please keep in mind two very important and related things that seem obvious, but
I feel the need to stress. If you plan on eating raw fish at home please make
sure that you are buying sushi-quality seafood and that you eat no fresh-water
fish raw. The risk of food borne pathogens in fresh-water fish is high whereas
the risk is significantly less with fish from the ocean. Also, make sure you are
storing and preparing your fish in sanitary conditions to prevent contamination
of the food prior to consumption. Wrapped up in the refrigerator on a bed of ice
that can drain well is the perfect place. And remember to keep the fish chilled
when not in use. This guide is merely for the edification of those who
choose to eat raw food at home and I cannot take any responsibility for illness
that may result from eating raw fish. It may take time to master your skills,
but you should have fun all along the way. Find the link above that corresponds
to the style of sushi you are trying to make and read on. Meshi Agare!
Looking for Sushi Kits & Books? Amazon.com has a suprising amount
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