Wednesday 10 February 2010

What is Nigiri Sushi

If a sushi is complemented with the slice of raw fish or prawns, it is called Nigiri sushi. This square looking sushi food is most famous among all the sushi food because it gives a unique taste
to fish. There are plenty of dissimilar methods to prepare a Nigire sushi, so if you buy a same fish lots of time, every time it would taste dissimilar than before.

Some chefs prefer to use nori as a way to keep the fish on the bed of rice. Other chefs prefer a small amount of wasabi. As there are also many dissimilar ways to prepare sushi rice, the rice itself can modify the flavor of the fish.

As well, there are several dissimilar ways that nigiri sushi can be eaten, all of which can modify how the sushi tastes. When you eat nigiri sushi, you are supposed to eat the nigiri so that the fish is the first thing to touch your tongue.

Eating rice below the Nigiri would not give you a appetizing taste. So before eating Nigiri make it sure that you know what is the right way of eating because sushi chefs chiefly give importance to the fish.

Soya sauce is widely used with Nigiri sushi. But it is not easy to have soya sauce and wasabi with Nigir as there is a particular technique of using them together. In other sushi dishes like Maki sushi, it is easy to eat them with soya sauce, but in Nigiri if rice soaks the soya sauce it would become a big mess for you. Due to this reason, soya sauce can only be applied over the fish so that rice bed does not crumble when you try to eat it.

Not only making sushi involves lots of creativity but eating it is also an art. And that art can be performed by using two tools; chopsticks and your fingers. Make it sure that when you eat a sushi food you should not leave anything uneaten

Sushi is meant to be fully eaten, and it is considered an insult to the sushi chef if you leave sushi you have put on your plate uneaten. However, it is not taboo if you never select the sushi to eat from the main serving dish. As sushi on the main serving dish is unclaimed, it is not considered to be insult to not eat it.

Nigiri sushi must be taken in one go. But if your Nigiri sushi is bigger than normal sushi, you can eat it in two pieces. All the sushi food, excluding Temaki sushi, should not be consumed by taking more than two bites.

By: Serena Pulman

Friday 5 February 2010

All You Need To Know About Kosher Sushi

So, you’ve decided to try sushi for the first time. Good for you! Trying something new can be intimidating, especially if that something involves eating raw fish. It shows you have an adventurous spirit and an open mind, and going into this experience with the right attitude is half the battle.

Most people who are reluctant to try sushi just automatically assume they won’t like it. A few will even say, "I don’t like fish, period! Why would I possibly consider eating raw fish?" My normal response to this would be, "Do you like tuna?" As it turns out, about 99 percent of people, particularly those who say they don’t like fish, like tuna.

What people who say they don’t like fish really don’t like is fishy tasting fish. Tuna has a very mild, almost sweet flavor and is therefore a good place to start when trying sushi for the first time. Granted, raw tuna is completely different, in terms of texture, than the stuff that comes out of a can. The texture is closer to that of meat, and is a good choice for people who think they only like meat.

When eating sushi, the trick is to not jump immediately into the deep end of the pool. If you are afraid of raw fish, begin with vegetable rolls, then try a sushi roll made of cooked fish (there are plenty of these, including the popular California roll), and then move on to a mild raw fish, like tuna. Don’t start immediately which a strongly flavored fish like mackerel or salmon (unless you are already familiar with, and like, salmon).



Misconceptions

A common misconception about sushi is that sushi means raw fish. The word sushi actually refers to the rice, which is flavored with vinegar. The literal translation of the word sushi comes from an obsolete phrase meaning, "it’s sour."



The term sushi encompasses a great many dishes, all of which include sushi rice. There are wraps and rolls, pressed and formed items, and dishes which simply incorporate various ingredients scattered over sushi rice. All of these items are properly referred to as sushi.

Alone, slices of raw fish served in sushi bars and restaurants are known as sashimi. Only when sashimi is placed on top of sushi rice does it become sushi.



Types of Sushi

Some common fish used in the preparation of sushi include: tuna, yellowtail, toro (a fatty cut of tuna), snapper, mackerel, salmon, kani.

For those of us who are squeamish about fish, some vegetable rolls are available. Common vegetables used in sushi include: cucumber, avocado, asparagus, yams, sweet corn mixed with mayonnaise, gourd, burdock, pickled daikon radish, and fermented soybeans called natto.



Maki-zushi

Maki rolls are what most people think of when they think of sushi. Maki rolls are cylindrical pieces of sushi formed with the use of a bamboo mat, and usually wrapped in a piece of nori. Nori is a kind of dehydrated algae, or seaweed, which is dried and formed into sheets. Nori is placed on the mat first, followed by a strip of sushi rice and other ingredients which may include vegetables and/ or seafood. The bamboo mat is then used to form the roll into a long cylinder which is cut into bite sized pieces.

Some maki rolls have nori on the inside with the sushi rice being the outermost layer. These inverted rolls are called uramaki.



Nigirizushi

Another common type of sushi, nigirizushi is a simple preparation where a slice of fish, known as a neta, is draped over an oblong mound of sushi rice. Two pieces of nigirizushi are typically served per plate.



Oshizushi

A specialty of Osaka, oshizushi is formed using a block-shaped wooden mold. Fish and/ or other ingredients are placed into the bottom of the mold, which is known as an oshibako. The ingredients are then covered with sushi rice and pressed, forming a block which is then unmolded and cut into pieces.



Inari-zushi

Inari-zushi is a form of sushi in which a pouch is made in a piece of fried tofu which is stuffed with sushi rice. This type of sushi is a great option for people who don’t like fish, as there is usually no fish involved.

Fukusa-zushi is a common variation on Inari-zushi, in which a thin egg omelet replaces the tofu as the wrapper



Chirashizushi

This is sushi in its simplest form. Fish and other ingredients are simply spread on top of a bowl of sushi rice. This style of sushi makes for a heartier, more filling meal and is a good choice for someone who is particularly hungry.



Narezushi/ Funazushi

This type of sushi is hearkens back to the oldest forms of sushi, but variations on the dish still exist today. Originally developed almost a thousand years ago as a way to preserve fish, the technique for making Narezushi is lengthy, involved, and to be frank, not very appealing to the average Westerner. As such, I will spare you the details, except to say that it is a process which can take years, and involves preserving and fermenting the fish using layers of salt and cooked rice, sticking the salted fish in a barrel for six months or so, and repeating the process until the fish is edible.



Sushi Etiquette

Besides being intimidated by the idea of raw fish, the other concern that first time sushi eaters usually have is in actually going to the sushi bar or restaurant. They don’t know how to order, what to order, what the proper table manners are, or even how to use chopsticks.

Unfortunately, the latter is not something I can really help you with. It takes practice, and it’s best to get a friend to teach you. So that is my first piece of advice. If you are intimidated, go with a friend, preferably one who has been to a sushi bar before.

But the truth is there are not a great many rules involved, only a few customs which it might be polite to observe.

Firstly, it’s a good idea to sit at the bar. Seeing your sushi being prepared is half the fun. It also gives you an opportunity socially with the other customers, as well as the sushi chef, known as an itamae. Order all your sushi from the itamae, and anything else, including drinks, from the servers.

Almost immediately after you sit down, it is customary for you to be given a warm towel. Use this to clean you hands before you eat. It may be left during the meal, or taken away before the food comes.

It is acceptable to eat your sushi using either your hands or chopsticks. If using chopsticks, they will come stuck together at the top and need to be separated. After pulling them apart, rub the tops together to dislodge any splinters.

If you are ordering any communal dishes that you will share with your friends or family, it is considered good manners to take the food from the communal plate using the top side of the chopsticks, or the opposite end of the chopsticks from that which you stick in your mouth.

If you are feeling adventurous, ask the itamae to prepare his choice of sushi. He will know what fish is freshest that day, and what his specialties are. The chef’s choice menu is known as omakase. Many sushi restaurants offer a fixed-price menu. They are usually listed in order of price. Matsu is usually the most expensive, followed by take, and ume is the cheapest.

While there are no rules for ordering sushi, it is considered good form to order sashimi first if you are going to be eating sashimi. The delicate flavor of the fish is thought to be best enjoyed when you palette is fresh. Beyond this, you may order as many pieces as you like as often as you like until you are satisfied.

When you have finished your meal, thank the itamae. "Domo Origato" is considered a very polite form of thank you. Tip the itamae well, and separately, from the rest of the wait staff.



A Note on Condiments

The most common condiments used in Japanese cuisine are: soy sauce, wasabi, and sweet pickled ginger known as gari.

Soy sauce is usually served in a small bowl on the side of your meal. It is considered polite to dip the fish side of the sushi into the soy sauce, so that you don’t end up leaving little bits of rice in the soy sauce.

Wasabi is a very pungent root similar to horseradish. In fact, most of the wasabi we get in this country is an imitation form of wasabi made from horseradish and dried mustard. Wasabi can be applied directly to the sushi or mixed into the bowl of soy sauce to your liking. If it is too strong for you, you may decide to leave it out altogether.

Gari, or pickled ginger, is a condiment that is not applied directly to the sushi, but rather eaten in between sushi pieces to cleanse the palette.


Kosher Sushi

Sushi is gaining in popularity among people of the Jewish faith. Because there are specific rules for kosher cooking with which the typical Japanese chef may not be familiar, kosher sushi restaurants have begun to spring up around the city to fill this need. Many ingredients commonly used in traditional sushi, including shellfish, are not Kosher, so people who follow a kosher diet are advised to eat only at kosher sushi restaurants. For the best Kosher Sushi in New York visit us at www.sushikbar.com.

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Monday 1 February 2010

Sushi Recipe

Sushi is a delicious, healthy and easy to prepare food. Deciding on and finding your ingredients, preparing the beautiful presentation, and enjoying your creation are all part of the fun of sushi. Finding a great sushi recipe is the first step in putting together a wonderful meal.

Sushi, traditionally, refers to rice, but it has developed to include the whole concept of the finger food. It commonly is a fish or vegetable, served with vinegar rice. A sushi recipe can be presented in several ways. Some common ways are wrapped in seaweed, served in a bowl, in bite size pieces or in a cone type wrap. Wide ranges of vegetables, seafood, and shellfish are used throughout a sushi recipe.

There are some common ingredients that you should always have on hand to prepare a good sushi recipe. These include seaweed, called nori, rice, and sushi vinegar. These are the base ingredients you will need to start with for any sushi recipe. Several sauces such as soy sauce, and wasabi; a spicy paste like substance, are commonly served with sushi to enhance the flavor. Common vegetables in a sushi recipe include carrots, cucumber, peppers, and avocado. Common seafood used in sushi recipes are crab, salmon, octopus, and shrimp. This is by no means an exhaustive list of what you can use in your sushi recipe. The sky is the limit. Get creative as you like with your sushi recipe.

Where can you find a good sushi recipe? There are several great places where you can find a good sushi recipe. A great place to start is the Internet. By doing a quick search through a search engine for sushi recipe, you can find some great websites that will provide you with a great sushi recipe. Often, they will provide you with detailed pictures and instructions that can help when preparing your sushi recipe. Also, try bookstores for their cookbook selections or local sushi restaurants to see if they will share their sushi recipe.

There are several pieces of kitchen equipment that can help you in preparing a sushi recipe. One of the most important pieces of equipment is a sharp knife. A sharp knife is essential in cutting and preparing the ingredients for your sushi recipe. It will allow you to cut your fish into thin slices, slice vegetables into attractive shapes and designs, and do all of these with ease. Another very helpful piece of equipment is a bamboo mat, traditionally called sushimaki sudare or makisu. This mat is what you use when you roll your sushi such as in a California roll. It is possible to roll with your hands, but the rice can be very sticky, so the mat can help eliminate a little frustration while preparing your sushi recipe. Other equipment such as rice cookers and sushi presses can also help make the preparation quicker, but they are not essential for preparing a good sushi recipe.

A final touch in the presentation of your sushi recipe is the plates and dishes you serve them on and the utensils that you use to eat them. Patterned china dishes, saucers, and cups are a beautiful touch. You can also use matching dispensers for items such as soy sauce. Often, chopsticks are used when eating sushi. Chopsticks come in all styles from wooded to metal and can complement your presentation beautifully. You can also eat sushi with your fingers, so make sure to have some nice matching napkins with the dishes.

It is easy to find the ingredients you need to complete your sushi recipe. Sushi recipes generally use basic ingredients that can be found easily. Many of the ingredients, if not all, can be purchased at most local grocery stores. If your grocery store does not carry what you need, try asking them to bring it in. Many companies will bring in supplies that are requested by their customers. For more complicated recipes that require special ingredients, many Asian specialty stores carry the more obscure ingredients on a regular basis. These stores can provide hard to find sushi recipe ingredients, often directly from Asian suppliers. A final option for finding your sushi recipe ingredients is online. There are countless websites that you can use to order everything from your good ingredients to equipment to finishing touches such as utensils.

Sushi is a wonderful food style. It's fun to follow a sushi recipe and see your final result. Many people consider preparing a sushi recipe an art form. It can be an exciting addition to your family dinner or an impressive dinner party concept. With a great sushi recipe, you can make out standing delicacies. It can be a great bonding event; gather the family together and everyone can make their own sushi dish. Grab your sushi recipe, your ingredients, your equipment, and have some fun.

For more info, please visit http://www.thairecipe-sushirecipe.info


About The Author
Eugene Yeng is the webmaster of http://www.thairecipe-sushirecipe.info. This website is a resourceful portal on sushi recipes and thai recipes.

Thursday 28 January 2010

How To Make So Delicious Sushi - It Is Not Fast Sushi, But High Quality Original Japanese Sushi

Hi. My husband had been doing sushi business in wholefood market for 5 years.
His sushi was very so delicious, so many customer loved our sushi,
but unfortunately another company kicked out us from wholefood market sushi bar.
Well. this is business world. It is hard to survive in business world. A lot of customer really
miss our sushi.
My husband got training for making sushi from his friend who runs Japanese
restaurant for over 10 years. He created new sushi variety like Rainbow
roll(salmon, tune and avocado).
Now we are teaching how to make sushi in our coffee shop. We opened a cozy
coffee shop 2 years ago. People who are interesting with Japanese food and culture
are gathering in coffee shop once a month, and they enjoy learning how to cook Japanese food.
We don't do sushi business anymore, but we volunteer to share our experience in
Greensboro city, NC. If you live near by Greensboro, please join in our Japanese group.
Here is website for Japanese language and culture group
http://japanese.meetup.com/463/
Our members are growing so fast! The first members were just 4 people, but now members are 38 people!
I am really enjoying to share our passion and emotion with new people.
Here is video for sushi class.
http://www.coffeerosexpress.com/sushibytoshi.html
Here is recipe for sushi.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
4 nori sheets

3 cups Sushi Rice

8 teaspoons ocean trout or flying fish roe

1-2 cucumbers, cut into thin, lengthwise slices

8 jumbo shrimp (king prawns), cooked, shelled, veins and tails removed

1-2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced

4-8 lettuce leaves, torn or sliced (optional)
RECIPE METHOD
Lay 1 nori sheet on a rolling mat and put 3/4 cup sushi rice on it. Spread rice over nori
sheet, leaving 3/4 inch of bare nori at far side and making a small ledge of rice in
front of this bare strip.
Spoon 2 teaspoons roe along center of rice, using back of a spoon to spread.
Add lettuce if desired.
Lay 2 shrimp along center, with one-quarter of cucumber strips.
Lay one-quarter of avocado slices along center. Add one-quarter of lettuce.
Roll mat over once, away from you, pressing ingredients in to keep roll firm,
leaving the 3/4-inch strip of nori rice-free.
Covering roll (but not rice-free strip of nori), hold rolling mat in position and
press all around to make roll firm.
Lift up top of rolling mat and turn roll over a little more so that strip of nori on
far side joins other edge of nori to seal roll. Use your fingers to make sure roll is
properly closed.
Roll entire roll once more, and use finger pressure to shape roll in a circle, an
oval, or a square.
Using a sharp knife, cut each roll in half, then cut each half in half again. Then cut
each quarter in half crosswise to make a total of 8 equal-sized pieces. Cut gently to
maintain shape.
The recipe is basic for beginner, but if you want to know about sushi more, please email at mayuna@tmail.com
I will send you our secret recipe for sushi. But the number is limited to 39 people, because this recipe is very secret.
Here is website for our coffee shop. You can view our coffee shop picture.
http://www.coffeerosexpress.com
Thank you for reading this article!
Owner of Lifestyle, Home business [http://www.toshimayu.com] Do you have money, time and health to enjoy vacation? Do you want to change your lifestyle to own your life now? Are you tired to work for someone? If your answer "yes", please click here. Lifestyle trainer will help you in person. Own your life now! My husband run cozy coffee shop coffee shop /Handmade jewelry online shop. Our coffee shop was chosen as one of top ten in NC! Our handmade jewelry are very unique. There is handmade jewelry pendant set, jewelry thong for cellphone and book and the real mini flower pin(14K) along with bonsai.