Sushi is a Japanese dish that uses sushi rice that has been seasoned with sweet rice-wine vinegar as the main ingredient. Traditionally sushi was a way of preserving fish by using rice and salt. Modern sushi can contain either cooked or raw fish, also known as sashimi, or it can be prepared vegetarian style. In fact, even sushi desserts have evolved from this ancient food art.
Sushi is a healthy food low in fat and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. For those needing to watch their salt intake, the sodium content in today's sushi can be lowered significantly by using low-sodium ingredients or altering recipes to include less salt.
Basic Sushi Making Ingredients
There are a few basic non-perishable items that should be kept on hand for routine sushi making. These are:
- large dish for cooling rice
- sushi rolling mat
- condiment bowls
- large, sharp knife
- cutting board
- plastic wrap
Standard sushi ingredients should also include the following:
- sushi rice
- fish
- shrimp
- avocado
- cucumber
- black sesame seeds
- white sesame seeds
- rice vinegar
- salt
- sugar
- pickled ginger
- wasabi powder
- roasted nori (seaweed), rice paper, or soy wrap (Nori can be a bit strong to the palate of newcomers to sushi, so try substituting rice paper or soy wrap as an alternative)
How to Make the Sushi Rice
The most important step in making sushi at home begins with the rice. The best rice to use when preparing sushi is a short or medium grain glutinous (sticky) rice such as Jasmine rice or Nishiki brand rice, which can be found in most Asian food stores. Rice can be prepared several hours or even a day ahead of time for convenience, as the rice needs to be cooled before use.
Rice should be prepared with a 1:1 method of using one part rice to one part water. As soon as the rice begins to boil, lower the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes, after which remove the rice from the heat and let stand. The rice vinegar mixture is added during the cooling process. It consists of the following ingredients and makes enough to treat 4 cups of cooked rice:
- ¼ rice vinegar (low sodium)
- 2Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbs Salt
Mix the ingredients together in a small glass bowl, allowing the sugar/salt mixture to completely dissolve. Avoid using metal bowls or spoons as it will change the taste of the mixture. The rice vinegar can be heated slowly in either the microwave for a few seconds, or on the stove top. Gently pour the mixture over the cooling rice while stirring with a wooden spoon to evenly distribute the mix.
Now that the rice is ready, read on to learn how to start making sushi at home.
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