Sushi!

[lostkat]

I decided that I was going to make sushi for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

I'm glad I started it early this afternoon because it took quite a while to assemble everything, but I really enjoyed myself and it was very relaxing. It was also pretty simple once the rice was made and I'd worked out how to do the rolls properly because it's just making up various combinations of your ingredients. I've even made some for lunch tomorrow, yum!! :cool:

Not going to go through all the recipes etc. Buy yourself a book if you're interested in making it. The little one I have is great!

Here are various pics of the process :)

First we have the rice. Really easy to cook, then you just fold in the rice vinegar/sugar/salt mix and fan it like mad to cool it down quickly. It's not hard, just time consuming. Lovely result though. It was perfect!!
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi01.jpg

Couldn't find Japanese mayo in Tesco, so I did the next best thing and made my own. Can't beat it. Loads left for tomorrow too, YUM!
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi02.jpg

Peppered smoked mackeral, avocado and red pepper rolls
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi03.jpg

Tuna wasabi mayo with avocado and red pepper rolls
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi002.jpg

All rolled up. You cut off the scruff end (and eat it) to make it look all sharp and pretty
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi04.jpg

Ta daaaaa
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi07.jpg

Next I did some tempura prawns (the batter for this was divine!!!) and wrapped them in strips of sushi. They don't look so neat, but they're not supposed to.

You need to skewer them to stop them curling up
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/tempura02.jpg

Sizzle sizzle.
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi05.jpg

Draining on some kitchen paper
http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi06.jpg

I also made eggcup sushi (eggcup lined with smoked salmon, filled with sushi rice and a dab of wasabi) and a seared swordfish sashimi salad, which was AMAZING.

Aaaand here's the finished result, served with soy sauce, sushi ginger and wasabi. By this time, we were dying to dig in, so no arty close ups of all the dishes I'm afraid.

http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi08.jpg

http://www.lostkat.co.uk/sushi09.jpg

[Haly]

Not my sort of thing, but have to say that looks brilliant! Really impressive looking :D

[Mark]

That looks bloomin' nomtastic. Well done. :)

PS - I am now extremely envious as the best I can manage is ready-made from the supermarket. :(

[Pickers]

Sickeningly nice there Kate! I love the wa you have made eats that fit the GP season this year! Not only is it contextual, but gets you doing things (like sushi) that you've never done before! Top class! I'lkl be thinking of raw fish at 6.00am when the lights go green :p

[Knipples]

Om nom nom! :D

[Lopez]

I can confirm this was seriously good - easily as good if not better than the sushi I had at a Japanese restaurant in Windsor last year. Mightily impressed and it was really filling too.

[Belmit]

Amazing stuff. Would lap it up in seconds!

[Knipples]

noob question but what is the outside wrapping? As in can you buy it in the supermarket?

[lostkat]

It's nori, which is pressed seaweed and yes you can. It's usually in the special ingredients aisle along with the sushi rice, wasabi, rice vinegar and rolling mat, which is all you really need to make your basic sushi :) You can then fill it with whatever takes your fancy.

[vix]

Looks amazing. Sushi is something I've never tasted but want to!

[lostkat]

Oooooo, you should try it!! You can get little tester packs of sushi in M&S. The small packs don't tend to contain wasabi or ginger (which I really love), but it'll give you an idea of whether you're going to like it. They do vegetarian sushi if you don't fancy fish and even the fish sushi doesn't actually contain any raw fish.

Lots of people instantly relate sushi to raw fish and think "ewww". However the word sushi refers to the rice that's used and it can have many different toppings.

I didn't use any raw fish in my sushi yesterday - it was smoked salmon (which I don't class as raw), smoked mackeral and cooked tuna. The only raw fish we had was the swordfish sashimi, which was seared on the outside but raw in the middle.

I've started thinking up new combinations I want to try next time I make this.. and I WILL make it again :D

[vix]

I love fish anyway and the prospect of raw fish doesn't bother me, but those ones that you have made really really appeal to me.

I went to Waitrose to buy stuff for tea and was surprised they didn't sell the M&S style packs. I'll be going to M&S then!!

[lostkat]

I'm suprised too. I would definitely expect Waitrose to sell it. You can get sushi from Asda & Tesco, but IMHO the M&S one is the same and I don't think there's a difference in price.

[vix]

It was half three on a Sunday - maybe everyone else themed their food to the GP today :D

[Knipples]

*wants sushi now*

[Mark]

Waitrose do stock it, but they don't stock much so it may have gone already. Sandwich chiller is the place to look.

I have to admit that I prefer Tesco sushi to Waitrose. I expect Waitrose is probably the more 'authentic' version, but not to my preference. Never tried the M&S version.

[Mondo]

Please call me next time you make some ! I Luv'em ! :D

[Fayshun]

Sometimes I miss working nights at Harvey Nicks, we used to get the "leftovers" from the Yo Sushi on the 5th floor.

[Rich_L]

Looks fantastic Kate :) Love sushi myself, Itsu is the main port of call in the City but is pretty £££!

Quite fancy making it one weekend, especially as I'm only a stones throw from Billingsgate market so could get some proper fresh fish if I wanted

[Pebs]

Tesco's is much nicer than M&S sushi IMVHO :)

[Glaucus]

That does look awesome.
Not sure if I would like sushi, although I'll give most things a try. Trying things like this I would want to try it at some place where I know it is properly prepared and tastes like it should taste.
Thing is I've had raw sea trout and that was absolutely fantastic, but then I hate things like smoked salmon.

[lostkat]

Ooo I've never tried fruit sushi, but could see how it would work with the rice.

[BBx]

Mango.. with mango it's amazing!

Mmmm sounds divine! :D

I had never tried Sushi before Feb this year - due to the fact that I thought it was just 'raw fish' but after making it at a Hen Do (where it was obviously part of the meal we ate) I found that it wasn't too bad ;)

Then started having the small snack box and chicken ones from M&S for lunch.

I can see why it would be a bit of a chore to make for one person with the sticky rice and all, but it is yum :D

I also found out how mayo is made too and wasn't too happy :( (allergic to eggs).

Looks brilliant Kate :D

BB x

[vix]

Well I found myself near an M&S today, and also in a situation where Phil wasn't eating tonight with me, so I purchased a small selection of sushi.

mmmmmmmmmmmm :D

Just one thing though - obviously mine was refridgerated most of the day, but is there an ideal temp to eat it at? I think i might have enjoyed it more at room temp.

Btw - Did you do anything for the Brazilian GP Kate? I know you have been a little busy of late :)

[BBx]

Always eaten it cold - yum :D

BB x

[vix]

I think it's just me not liking cold cold food. I know it's not meant to be hot but I think I might try room temp next time.

[lostkat]

It's supposed to be eaten at room temp Vix :)

I did something for the Brazilian GP, but haven't got round to posting it yet. I shall do so later on :)

[vix]

Nice one, I will try not to get so hungry before I eat it next time :)

Looking forward to your brazilian concoction :p

[Burble]

I can't stand sushi with fish when it's cold. Room temperature is definitely my preferred temperature.

[Pheebs]

I'll eat it cold but I prefer it massively at room temp.

I am STARVING MARVIN. I really could do with some sushi right now!