Sushi

I had the pleasure of learning how to make sushi myself so we can eat it more often without breaking the bank.

Makes 5 rolls:

- 2 1/2 cups calrose rice
- 1 package of roasted seaweed sheets
- 4 oz of sushi grade (every important or you will get sick) fish of choice... smoked salmon and precooked crab is always safe
- veggies & other mix-ins of choice, sliced into long strips
- 3 1/3 cups of water
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar

1. Rinse rice out 3-4 times, the water should go from cloudy to almost clear.

2. Boil rinsed rice with water, once boiled - lower heat and simmer (covered) for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat, let sit (covered) additional 10 minutes (I fluffed the rice before letting it sit another 10 minutes). Place in *PLASTIC* bowl (it is important once rice leaves pot it does not come into contact with anymore metal) cover with damp paper towel and let cool in fridge for 10-15 minutes.

3. In a cup mix vinegar & sugar - microwave for 30 seconds (you can also boil this if desired).

3. CUT in (do not mix, stir or fold) vinegar/sugar mix to bowl of rice. (it's gonna smell... aka kind of reek, lol).

4. On a sushi rolling mat - place seaweed shiny side down and flatten rice over it, leaving a 1/2 inch space on the bottom. It is easier to flatten it with a wet spatula and then manipulate it with your fingers (you will wash your hands a lot). Make sure the rice is not too high as you dont want a monstrous roll, but just about 1/8 of an inch high off the seaweed.

5. Place fish, veggies, etc in the center and roll towards you creating a lip on the roll and then work with it to flatten it out and roll it closed.

6. SLICE with a *WET* knife in half, placing the 2 halves next to each other (its just easier to cut) and then slice into 6-8 pieces total (off one roll).

You can enjoy it right away or cover with syran wrap for later use. I didnt have syran wrap and used foil and it was ok, but the next day you could tell it was not as fresh.

I made 10 rolls total since we were having company. Here were my combos:
- salmon & cream cheese (Philadelphia roll)
- salmon, cream cheese & cucumber
- crab & cream cheese
- crab, cream cheese & cucumber

I played it on the safe side since it was my first time. We tore it up! Our non-sushi loving friends are now hooked! And we had plenty left that we had a little sushi picnic in the basement the next day.