How to Roll Sushi

Sushi is one of the most fun foods to both prepare and eat, but seldom do people outside of Asia make it at home. If you want know how to roll sushi on your own, there are some facts you should know about it first.

Contrary to popular belief, sushi does not always contain raw fish. In fact, the most popular form os sushi in America, the California Roll, has no fish in it whatsoever! The term “sushi” actually refers to the rice used in it, a sticky rice that packs loosely in order to fall apart in the mouth. There are several kinds of sushi you can make, but let’s start with the easiest.

Temaki (Hand Roll)

You will need:

• Water
• Nori (found in the world foods section at the supermarket)
• Sushi rice
• Fillings (such as fish, cucumbers, carrots, and wasabi)

First, cut the nori in half so that it fits in the palm of your hand and over your fingers, shiny side down. Get your other hand wet and use it to pack a small ball of rice into the nori over your palm. Flatten the rice to about 1/4 inch, covering no more than 1/3 of the nori, then press your finger diagonally into the rice to make an indent. Fill this indent with your fillings, then slowly start to roll the sushi with both hands, starting at the bottom corner of your palm, making the nori into a cone. Roll it all the way in to the conical shape and seal it with a dab of water or wasabi

Maki (Roll)

You will need:

• Nori
• Sushi rice
• Fillings
• Knife
• Bamboo rolling mat (maki su)

Place the nori shiny side down on the mat (a towel can be used in a pinch). Cover the nori with 1/4 inch layer of loose rice, leaving about an inch along the far end. Place your toppings in the middle of the rice in a horizontal strip, the largest filling being placed first. Be careful not to put too many fillings in at once! Lift the close edge of the mat with your fingers against the filling and start to roll until the maki is completely round, then keep rolling with constant pressure to the end of the mat. Cut the maki and enjoy!

Nigiri

You will need:

• Sushi rice
• High quality fish – my personal favorites are salmon and yellow fin tuna
• Water
• Wasabi (optional)

First, wet your hands and roll about a 1-2 inch ball of sushi rice in your hands lightly. Form the rice into a rectangle (2″x1″x1/4″) and place it on the plate. You may add a dab of wasabi if you like to the top. Then place your fish on top of the rice and serve!

Now that you know how to roll sushi, why not throw a BYOF party (Bring-your-own-filling) and invite the neighbors? It’ll be an event they’ll never forget!