Kat: I. Love. Sushi.

I. Love. Sushi.

I completely blame Jenna for the lack of sushi in my life pre-New York City. Indiana in the 90's was no place to find sushi, and especially in my house (my parents still refuse to try the stuff), so there was no way that I was going to get introduced. In college, however, there was a sushi restaurant a rocks throw away from our house. Being from the city, Jenna was a sushi pro. Or at least that's that she led me to believe. Long story short, I was not informed that you were supposed to use the ginger and wasabi on the rolls. I just though they were for show (glaring at Jenna). It wasn't until years later in Brooklyn when someone finally showed me how sushi was meant to be eaten. After that first heavenly bite I. Was. Addicted. After another year or so of eating restaurant sushi, I decided to give it a shot and make my own rolls. It took a couple of tries to get the technique down, but as long as you have the correct supplies, its as easy as pie. And the best thing is - homemade sushi is even better than takeout. And it happens to be dirt cheap to make!

Lets get started...

I get all my ingredients at a little gem of a Japanese market called Sunrise Mart, but you can find all of these ingredients at health food stores or large markets.

Basic Ingredients/tools you'll need:
A VERY sharp knife

Bamboo rolling mat

Square of saran wrap large enough to cover bamboo mat

1/4 cup brown rice per roll you plan to make (I'll usually make 2 rolls per person)

1/2 tbsp rice vinegar per roll

1 tsp wasabi powder per person (mix with a small amount of water until it forms a paste)

Nori sheets

Pickled ginger

Soy Sauce (get the economy size....you'll be making a LOT of sushi from now on!)

Filling (this is just what I used this time around; get creative!):

Asparagus

Cucumber

Carrot

Avocado

Spinach

Tofu (I suggest trying a fried tofu....not the healthiest of choices, but it is damn delicious!)

How to:
1. Get your rice cooking (for me, that means get out the rice cooker....I couldn't make rice on the stove if my life depended on it)

2. Steam any of the tougher veggies you're using (in this case asparagus, carrot, spinach)

3. Cut the rest of your veggies (or fish if you're using) lengthwise as slender as possible

(the pile of diced tofu is for the miso soup)

4. Lay out your bamboo mat and cover with a layer of plastic wrap

5. When rice is done cooking, mix in the vinegar and set aside

6. Place a nori sheet on top of the plastic wrap and scoop 1/4 cup rice in the middle of the sheet

7. Smooth a thin layer of rice over the face of the nori

8. Place a few slices of the filling at the end of the mat

9. Roll everything together slowly and as tightly as possible

10. Slice and you're done! Serve with the usual; soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi

I always make a miso soup to go with sushi. It is delicious and incredibly easy to make:

Boil as much water as you want soup (I usually make about a cup per person), as soon as the water boils, add one heaping teaspoon of miso paste per cup of water.


Once the paste has dissolved, add a handful of chopped (firm) tofu and one diced sheet of nori.

Stir and place in bowls. Top with a chopped green onion.


My mouth is watering. If you don't love the recipe....you're crazy.

p.s. Jenna, I'm still angry about you denying me the pleasure of sushi for all those years. You owe me. Lets talk about it over homemade sushi.