Jul 06 2010

Bottled Sushi Ingredients You Need to Make Sushi


By Steve J Gerwig

While some of the bottled ingredients used in sushi making may be familiar to many people, like soy sauce, most of them, like Mirin, are applicable to sushi recipes only. Once opened most of these bottled ingredients should be refrigerated until needed later.

The following bottled items for making sushi are listed below.

Thick Chili Sauce

Not normally thought of when making sushi, chili sauce has become a staple in most sushi bars. The most popular and best tasting is called Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce.

Mirin

Or sweet cooking Sake. It has about 8% alcohol and is slightly syrupy and sweet. It heightens the sweetness of your roll and provides a shiny sheen to the presentation.

Plum Wine

A perfect complement to any sushi dinner. Some people prefer to drink Sake with their sushi, while others prefer this sweet, fruity spirit.

Ponzu Sauce

Ponzu is used when the recipe calls for a lighter, brighter soy sauce for dishes such as delicate fish rolls. It is made from Yuzu, a lemon colored, tangerine shaped citrus. Since Yazu is quite expensive and hard to find, you can make your own Ponzu sauce by combining lemon, lime and grapefruit with soy sauce.

Rice Vinegar

Used in the making of the sushi rice, it provides the clean, crispy vinegar taste that sushi rice requires. Try to find the best Rice vinegar you can in your local Asian market. In a pinch you can substitute apple cider vinegar, but the sushi enthusiast will know the difference.

Sansho

Or Japanese pepper. It is the dried and ground pods of the prickly ash tree. It has a more minty, citrusy taste than a spicy hot seasoning. Freeze the opened bottle if you don’t use it often.

You can round out your bottled sushi ingredients with the more common Sake and soy sauce to complete what you need for most sushi recipes. As always, before going shopping, know what ingredients you will be using for the sushi you plan on making soon.

Steve has been writing articles on a wide variety of subjects. Come visit his latest site at http://philandtedstrollers.net/. You will find information and reviews from other Phil and Ted Strollers owners here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_J_Gerwig

http://EzineArticles.com/?Bottled-Sushi-Ingredients-You-Need-to-Make-Sushi&id=4325969


May 28 2010

Making Sushi – Mold Me Or Roll Me


Making Sushi – Mold Me Or Roll Me
By Steve J Gerwig

Making sushi at home can be fun and rewarding. But learning how to roll the sushi correctly can take a bit of a learning curve.

Fortunately for the less able among us, there are plastic molds available for use in making sushi.

Most, if not all real sushi chefs, use the time honored tradition of rolling their sushi rolls with a bamboo mat or Makisu. To use a bamboo mat you need to cover it with plastic wrap in order to keep the roll together and be able to unload the mat after the roll is pressed. You also need to practice, practice and practice some more to get the rolls just right.

Believe me you will have many ugly rolls to consume before you are ready to present your rolls to guests. At least if you want to impress them with your new found sushi making skills. However there is a better way to get passable sushi rolls without the learning curve.

Introducing the sushi molds.

Looking a little like ice cube trays, they are plastic molds in the shape of the rolls. Usually in two pieces, so you can load the bottom piece with rice and sushi ingredients and use the top piece to press the rolls.

These molds are terrific time savers and produce a pretty good looking roll.

A skilled sushi chef would rather die than be caught using these molds, but if you are just getting started and want to make quick, presentable sushi rolls, give the molds a try.

Steve has been writing articles on a wide variety of subjects. Come visit my latest site at http://philandtedstrollers.net/. You will find information and reviews from other Phil and Ted Strollers owners here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_J_Gerwig

http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Sushi—Mold-Me-Or-Roll-Me&id=4242875


Mar 23 2010

How to Make Sushi – Secrets Revealed – What Sushi Restaurant Owners Do Not Want to Tell You


How to Make Sushi – Secrets Revealed – What Sushi Restaurant Owners Do Not Want to Tell You
By Maggie Tan

When it comes to food, we all have our weaknesses. Some people just cannot resist another bite of chocolate or that beef burger oozing with all its juices.

For me, I love Sushi! Sushi is NOT just about raw fish and caviar. The varieties and ingredients are as wide ranging as your imagination can be. You can roll a sushi with egg, avocado, carrots, cucumber, beef, prawns and the list goes on and on.

More importantly, Sushi is extremely healthy. It is heavily pack with nutrients and minerals. A typical setting of 7 – 9 pieces contains about 300-450 calories. Not only are they low in fat, the fishes used provide protein and are rich in Omega 3 fatty acid, the vegetables are a great source of vitamins and the Nori (seaweed sheet) is rich in iodine. Even the sushi rice provides complex carbohydrates. You really cannot get a more nutritious meal and snack than this.

There are 5 good reasons why you should make your own sushi and we will go through each of them in this article.

1. Sushi is one of the fast growing healthy fast food

2. Sushi can be prepared very quickly

3. Sushi is very easy and fun to prepare. Even a child can help out

4. Sushi can be prepared very economically i.e. on shoestring budget

5. Sushi makes great party food

Unfortunately, for many people, sushi is extremely pricey. Any Sushi Lover will tell you that sushi dining is kept for that special occasion because of its price tag. Seeing how Sushi Masters stalwartly wave their razor sharp Yanagi Ba knives and their deft hand movement, it is no wonder that we think that making sushi is best left to these highly skilled and talented Sushi Chefs. Did you know that it is actually a misconception that only sushi master can carve out a decent sushi platter? I will let you into a little secret… You do not even need to know how to use chopsticks to know how to make sushi, what’s more eat it!

Making sushi is one of the easiest tricks of the trade. The good news is you can learn to make sushi in no time and on really shoestring budget as well.

Let us very quickly run through the usual ingredients that you will need. You can get Japanese Sushi rice grains, Nori and Sushi mat from most Oriental supermarkets. For all other ingredients such as beef, prawns, capsicum, carrots, cucumbers and really any ingredient that you fancy putting into your sushi roll; they are easily available from your local supermarket. By the way, there is minimal cooking involved, so even if you are not a great cook, you can still be your very own Sushi Master. Most of the work and fun of course, is in cutting up the ingredients and rolling them up into sushi rolls. There are really no special skills or talent needed to roll the sushi. The motion in rolling a sushi roll is identical to rolling up a towel into a baton! It is that easy. There is a very simple video in the link below that will show you exactly how this is done.

You will be amazed by the spread and colours of your sushi platter from just these basic ingredients. To give your platter the “restaurant look” you can include garnishing and decorations made from thin strips of carrots and cucumbers or you can use cookie cutters to cut out carrots and cucumbers into shapes of flowers.

Just these tips alone will allow you to throw a brilliant sushi party at home. Your guests will be able to eat till their hearts’ content without you feeling the pinch in your pocket. In fact, I will suggest that they join you in rolling their own sushi. It is a lot of fun to get everyone involve making homemade sushi and the truth is making sushi is really not rocket science.

Never again will you have to resort to eating the cold, gunny sushi rolls sold in supermarkets or even sushi bars and restaurants. You will derive so much more pleasure in sinking your teeth in the warm and moist homemade sushi rolls.

For decades, Sushi restaurants and bars have fiercely guarded these tips and tricks and kept these secrets from the public domain, which are now made available to you. I strongly encourage you to try your hands on making sushi and I promise that you will never look back.

To find out more about how to make sushi, watch a video demonstration of making sushi and obtain more information about The Art of Sushi Dining and get more Sushi Recipes, visit http://www.HowtoMakeSushi.co.uk.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maggie_Tan

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-Sushi—Secrets-Revealed—What-Sushi-Restaurant-Owners-Do-Not-Want-to-Tell-You&id=3645784


Jan 30 2010

Sushi Making – Secrets Revealed


How to Make Sushi – Secrets Revealed – What Sushi Restaurant Owners Do Not Want to Tell You
By Magdalene Tan

When it comes to food, we all have our weaknesses. Some people just cannot resist another bite of chocolate or that beef burger oozing with all its juices.

For me, I love Sushi! Sushi is NOT just about raw fish and caviar. The varieties and ingredients are as wide ranging as your imagination can be. You can roll a sushi with egg, avocado, carrots, cucumber, beef, prawns and the list goes on and on.

More importantly, Sushi is extremely healthy. It is heavily pack with nutrients and minerals. A typical setting of 7 – 9 pieces contains about 300-450 calories. Not only are they low in fat, the fishes used provide protein and are rich in Omega 3 fatty acid, the vegetables are a great source of vitamins and the Nori (seaweed sheet) is rich in iodine. Even the sushi rice provides complex carbohydrates. You really cannot get a more nutritious meal and snack than this.

There are 5 good reasons why you should make your own sushi and we will go through each of them in this article.

1. Sushi is one of the fast growing healthy fast food

2. Sushi can be prepared very quickly

3. Sushi is very easy and fun to prepare. Even a child can help out

4. Sushi can be prepared very economically i.e. on shoestring budget

5. Sushi makes great party food

Unfortunately, for many people, sushi is extremely pricey. Any Sushi Lover will tell you that sushi dining is kept for that special occasion because of its price tag. Seeing how Sushi Masters stalwartly wave their razor sharp Yanagi Ba knives and their deft hand movement, it is no wonder that we think that making sushi is best left to these highly skilled and talented Sushi Chefs. Did you know that it is actually a misconception that only sushi master can carve out a decent sushi platter? I will let you into a little secret… You do not even need to know how to use chopsticks to know how to make sushi, what’s more eat it!

Making sushi is one of the easiest tricks of the trade. The good news is you can learn to make sushi in no time and on really shoestring budget as well.

Let us very quickly run through the usual ingredients that you will need. You can get Japanese Sushi rice grains, Nori and Sushi mat from most Oriental supermarkets. For all other ingredients such as beef, prawns, capsicum, carrots, cucumbers and really any ingredient that you fancy putting into your sushi roll; they are easily available from your local supermarket. By the way, there is minimal cooking involved, so even if you are not a great cook, you can still be your very own Sushi Master. Most of the work and fun of course, is in cutting up the ingredients and rolling them up into sushi rolls. There are really no special skills or talent needed to roll the sushi. The motion in rolling a sushi roll is identical to rolling up a towel into a baton! It is that easy. There is a very simple video in the link below that will show you exactly how this is done.

You will be amazed by the spread and colours of your sushi platter from just these basic ingredients. To give your platter the “restaurant look” you can include garnishing and decorations made from thin strips of carrots and cucumbers or you can use cookie cutters to cut out carrots and cucumbers into shapes of flowers.

Just these tips alone will allow you to throw a brilliant sushi party at home. Your guests will be able to eat till their hearts’ content without you feeling the pinch in your pocket. In fact, I will suggest that they join you in rolling their own sushi. It is a lot of fun to get everyone involve making homemade sushi and the truth is making sushi is really not rocket science.

Never again will you have to resort to eating the cold, gunny sushi rolls sold in supermarkets or even sushi bars and restaurants. You will derive so much more pleasure in sinking your teeth in the warm and moist homemade sushi rolls.

For decades, Sushi restaurants and bars have fiercely guarded these tips and tricks and kept these secrets from the public domain, which are now made available to you. I strongly encourage you to try your hands on making sushi and I promise that you will never look back.

To find out more about how to make sushi, watch a video demonstration of making sushi and obtain more information about The Art of Sushi Dining and get more Sushi Recipes, visit http://www.HowtoMakeSushi.co.uk.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Magdalene_Tan

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-Sushi—Secrets-Revealed—What-Sushi-Restaurant-Owners-Do-Not-Want-to-Tell-You&id=3645784


Dec 18 2008

Sushi Making 101

Arthor: Anne Rivera

If you want to make sushi, you should know that there are more varieties to sushi than the ordinary fusion of raw fish and rice. A Japanese staple that has earned the favor of the rest of the world, sushi is now considered to be one of the most popular Asian dishes. Sushi has evolved into more than a culinary treat but an enduring art form, after it has originated in the Muromachi period when fish and rice were first fermented together.
Some Truths About Sushi

Making sushi can be done in several ways, whether rolled in nori sheets, stuffed inside tofu pouches, or even scattered over vinegared rice. All these make sushi a versatile dish that can be eaten anytime during the day. Contrary to popular notion, sushi does not refer to the raw fish or raw seafood itself. Sushi is actually the vinegared rice that is served together with the raw or cooked seafood, and then dipped in sauces before eating.

It is important to note however, that fish and other seafood used in making sushi can either be raw or cooked. Although the traditional means of serving sushi involves placing a slice of raw fish on top of a bed of vinegared rice and then tying these with a band of nori, the contemporary ways of serving this Oriental staple have embraced the use of non-traditional ingredients like cucumber, mayonnaise and wasabi sauces and even mango strips.

The Basics of Sushi Making

If you want to make sushi, consider first if you would rather eat raw seafood or not. You can always use other substitutes such as boiled crab meat, squid, shrimp, fish roe, and even sea urchin.

Making nigiri sushi is very simple, and you only need seasoned or vinegared rice as the base, a slice of raw or cooked fish or any other seafood, and wasabi sauce. Sushi rice can be prepared ahead of time, and this can be done by boiling short grained rice and water in equal proportions until the rice is cooked. You can then add a tablespoon of sushi vinegar per cup of rice.

In order to make sushi of the nigiri variety, start by shaping a small mound of sushi rice through your hands. Use about two tablespoons of rice and roll them into a well-shaped oval. Flatten the top of the mound and spread wasabi paste on the surface. If you don’t fancy wasabi however, you can omit this step. Finally, you can place the thin slice of raw fish or shrimp on top, usually about 2×5 cm in size. To secure the sushi, cut a strip of nori and wrap the thin band around the rice and fish.

Maki sushi is a roll of nori, sushi and fillings which are cut into medium sizes. Temaki sushi involves shaping the nori into a cone and stuffing it with rice and fillings. Chirashi sushi is just scattered sushi, with toppings of vegetables and sashimi spread over the sushi rice. You can also make sushi without using the nori but tofu pouches instead. This is called the inari sushi.

Important Sushi Tips

When you use raw fish or seafood, remember to choose the freshest ones available. Sushi masters typically prefer to use deep saltwater fish types like salmon and tuna since they are normally free from parasites. Fresh water fish are more prone to parasites, thus placing you at risk for infection and diseases.

There are several health issues confronting the consumption of sushi on a regular basis and one of these is the alarming levels of mercury present in raw fish and other seafood. However, you can always choose to have the fish cooked or to enjoy other fillings as well. Fish is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids and is a better alternative to most red meats. When you make sushi, always remember that you can enjoy this exotic treat in more delicious ways than one.

Website: http://foodandanne.blogspot.com and http://www.mysushiset.com/