That’s right- Joel and I made sushi for our Valentine’s Day dinner, just like I said we would! And believe it or not, we didn’t screw it up! A miracle! In fact, we were so excited about it, we decided to make a little video, including YOU all in the fun! That’s right- this is a Sing For Your Supper first! My very first video tutorial (don’t worry, it’s very short- less than 3 minutes)!
Believe it or not, making sushi at home isn’t quite as scary as you’d think. I’ll be honest, we were both pretty pessimistic about our chances of making a decent California roll, and I fully expected to fail miserably. But it really was FUN and easy, and our rolls turned out super delicious! However, before I show you how we did it, there are a few things I’d like to make clear:
I am not a professional sushi maker.
I am fully aware that my “California roll” is not a real, honest-to-goodness, traditional California roll.
I realize that my knife-wielding skills are a little lack-luster.
Yes, I have an accent.
Sushi video tutorial:
[FMP autohide=”true”]/wp271/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Sushi.m4v[/FMP]What you’ll need:
Nori (seaweed)
bamboo mat
plastic wrap
sushi rice
rice vinegar
salt
sugar
water
crab meat
cucumber, thinly sliced
avocado, thinly sliced
soy sauce
wasabi
mayo/Sriracha mixture (optional- you won’t find this in a traditional California roll, but we really liked the flavor it added! Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 2 or 3 splashes of Sriracha)
Mix 2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
Cook your rice according to the instructions on the package. I made 2 cups, which gave us enough for 2 rolls (with a little leftover). You don’t have to own a rice cooker for this- I did mine on the stove top and it turned out just fine.
After your rice is cooked, spread it in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet, sprinkle with the vinegar mixture and let it sit out until it’s completely cooled (I laid down a sheet of wax paper before spreading my rice, just so it wouldn’t stick to the baking sheet).
When you’re ready to start filling your sushi, place a sheet of nori on the bamboo mat covered with plastic wrap. Have a small bowl of water mixed with a little rice vinegar nearby. Dip your fingers in the water and start spreading the rice in a thin, even layer over the nori. You’ll need to continuously dip your fingers in the water to keep them from sticking to the rice (and that rice is STICKY!). Leave a little bit of a border so you’ll be able to seal the roll later.
Place a few pieces of crab, cucumber and avocado at the top of the roll (closest to you), followed by the spicy Sriracha/mayo mixture, if desired.
Now it’s time to roll; carefully lift the bamboo mat underneath the top of the nori (where the filling is) and start to roll it over until you can tuck the top underneath. Keep using the mat to help you roll it as tightly as possible (this is actually a lot easier than it sounds). After you’ve finished rolling, dab a little water/vinegar mixture on the edge of the nori to seal the edges. Slice in 1 inch pieces and you’ve got SUSHI!
For dipping: Mix a TINY amount of wasabi into your soy sauce for a spicy kick. But be warned, wasabi packs a BIG punch- a little goes a long way! Dip your sushi and enjoy!
**If you decide to use any raw fish, definitely make sure it’s “sushi-grade” (extra fresh)!
References: Gimme Some Oven and Itsy Bitsy Foodie
Out Takes (enter at your own risk!):
[FMP autohide=”true”]/wp271/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Out-Takes.m4v[/FMP]
Awesome video Amy! This looks like such a fun process and a yummy result. You guys looked so cute at the end when you high-fived each other.
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Comment by Eliana — February 16, 2011 @ 6:15 AM
LOVED the video and the outtakes! I recently discovered how much I like sushi and can’t wait to try and make it at home. You guys are hysterical! Thanks for the tutorial.
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Comment by Leah — February 16, 2011 @ 9:22 AM
How cute are you guys!! Love the video 🙂 I’m not a big sushi fan but I’ll definitely pass this along to my friends who are.
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Comment by Tracey — February 16, 2011 @ 9:37 AM
Super cute and I love the out takes! And I don’t know what you mean…you don’t have an accent! 🙂
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Comment by Hayley — February 16, 2011 @ 9:45 AM
You are so lucky that Joel enjoys sushi…I cannot for the life of me get my husband to enjoy it at all. It’s alright, I go out with my girlfriends for sushi dates any chance I get.
Totally cute video and a great way to spend V-day together in the kitchen. 😉
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Comment by Krystal R. — February 16, 2011 @ 9:46 AM
Now I’m dying to make sushi at home! The out takes cracked me up – you two are too cute!
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Comment by Dani — February 16, 2011 @ 9:48 AM
Super cute guys! Now I’m craving California Rolls! 🙂
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Comment by Jessica of My Baking Heart — February 16, 2011 @ 11:08 AM
Thanks a lot, everybody! We had a blast making it- you should definitely try it!! I just love how endless the possibilities are as far as fillings- any veggies you want!
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Comment by amy — February 16, 2011 @ 11:37 AM
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Amy Beskow, Amy Beskow. Amy Beskow said: Ahem….so…..I made a video about sushi. Want to see?? http://tinyurl.com/6djrx5z […]
Pingback by Tweets that mention Sing For Your Supper » We Made Sushi. -- Topsy.com — February 16, 2011 @ 12:07 PM
Great video. I have always wanted to make my own sushi, you guys made it seem so easy.
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Comment by Chicago Cuisine Critique — February 16, 2011 @ 1:54 PM
Ok. That’s it. You are my favorite blogger Amy! This was soo cute! I loved how you did it together and the outtakes had me laughing out loud!
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Comment by Jessica — February 16, 2011 @ 2:34 PM
Aw, thanks Jessica!!
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Comment by amy — February 16, 2011 @ 3:13 PM
You and your husband are probably the cutest couple I’ve ever seen. I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and I just couldn’t help comment on this post 😀
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Comment by L — February 16, 2011 @ 3:45 PM
Wonderful looking sushi! We’d love to feature your photos on kitchenartistry.com
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Comment by KitchenArtistry — February 16, 2011 @ 3:52 PM
How sweet, L, thank you for your comment!! 🙂
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Comment by amy — February 16, 2011 @ 4:08 PM
Great, KitchenArtistry- go for it! 🙂
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Comment by amy — February 16, 2011 @ 4:09 PM
U have no idea how excited I am to watch this!!!!:) I LOVE making sushi!!!!! And eating it too!:)
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Comment by Abbi Kunce — February 16, 2011 @ 4:28 PM
This is soooooo good u guys r GREAT!! I laughed so hard! These Out takes r classic!!!!!!!:):) I LOVE IT! BRAVO JOEL 🙂 lol
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Comment by Abbi — February 16, 2011 @ 5:28 PM
Very impressive! (Both videos!!)
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Comment by Mother — February 16, 2011 @ 8:43 PM
Lady, you are so adorable! Your photos are lovely, your sushi looks amazing and those outtakes were hilarious!
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Comment by Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot — February 17, 2011 @ 12:32 AM
Good fun. And IZZY!!! in the out takes. I was craving sushi for dinner last night. I have never had the nerve to just dive in and make my own. I want to now. The fact that I can get sushi from 2 locations within about 500yrds from my front door makes me lazy on that front. One day though. one day.
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Comment by thunja — February 17, 2011 @ 2:02 AM
You have proved once again that my two kids are fabulous!!
This is the stuff from which legends are made!!! love you,Nana
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Comment by nana jones — February 17, 2011 @ 12:05 PM
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!! Ohmigosh, SO stinkin’ funny!!! Oh, and by the way, your “accent” sounded WAY more yankee than anything! “Hite Sise”! Ha! Loved it!!!
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Comment by Lindsay — February 17, 2011 @ 6:42 PM
How cute are the two of you! I love the video and the outakes are hilarious!! I really think you should do more of these. Also, I love that you warned you have an accent. I don’t think you do, but I have had any comments on mine lately.
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Comment by Jade — February 17, 2011 @ 6:47 PM
Very cute, Amy! (And props to Joel for the nice Sriracha show off.) You guys look like so much fun with your adorable high five. When do we get to meet?
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Comment by Kelsey — February 18, 2011 @ 7:41 PM
What an awesome idea! Your hubby is a trooper, too! Nice job guys!
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Comment by Nikki (Pennies on a Platter) — February 18, 2011 @ 10:15 PM
Love it! GREAT job!! Your outtakes video had me cracking up. The sushi looks delicious. 🙂
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Comment by themilkmanswife — February 20, 2011 @ 9:02 AM
I was telling my dad earlier how I wanted to make sushi. This looks awesome!
Jess : )
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Comment by Jess — February 21, 2011 @ 1:08 PM
I was telling my dad earlier how I wanted to make sushi. This looks awesome!
Jess : )
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Comment by Jess — February 21, 2011 @ 1:08 PM
You make that look so simple 🙂 I have a feeling mine would not be so pretty!
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Comment by Nicole, RD — February 22, 2011 @ 3:53 PM
Absolutely adorable video you and your husband made! I just discovered your site tonight and am thoroughly enjoying it. I’m a very visual person when it comes to recipes, so your blog is tops with me for all the wonderful photos.
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Comment by Chris — April 16, 2011 @ 11:16 PM
[…] California Roll / Lost in Translation […]
Pingback by Eat & Watch « — April 16, 2012 @ 3:25 AM
You two are adorable. Excited to try this out this weekend with my sweet heart! Love the out-takes!!!
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Comment by Sunflower — February 14, 2013 @ 4:04 PM