Konichiwa American! Today feels like an excellent day to teach you Americans how to make a type of sushi called California rolls! But please, I personally think its great to learn history first! It's just a short session.
In the 1970s, unknown California chefs with great taste buds realized that many Americans didn't like eating raw fish. With their creativity and great taste, they have created an unforgettable Japanese dish called the California roll which is also known as the American sushi. The California roll is made up of seaweed, rice, imitation crab meat, avocado, and cucumber. You've got to try it! Sadly, they can come in high prices. But now with my help, you would not have to spend too much money on them. You can thank me later.
Step ichi (holds up 1 finger) SHOPPING FOR INGREDIENTS! Shopping for ingredients is a very important part of this sushi lesson. You will have to find these ingredients: roasted seaweed, crab meat but you can also imitation crabmeat as well as avocado, cucumber and rice.
A great place to shop is Mitsuwa. There you can find everything in one single isle! Uh huh, I said, one single isle. You're probably thinking, “What should I get, imitation crabmeat or crabmeat?” Well of course you want my opinion! If you don't want to spend too much money, I would recommend imitation crab meat. It has a great taste and there is less work.
Step ni (holds up 2 fingers) Cook your rice. There's much to be done before you master the art of the California roll. Cooking your rice is the easiest part of this lesson. Get 3 cups of rice and pour it in. Don't forget to wash the rice! You don't want to be eating filthy rice. To wash its beautiful whiteness, you have to rinses it while it runs through your fingers. Okay now! After you have done that important job, its time to add water.
You have to add drinking water unless you like unfresh rice… fill it up to the number 3 on your rice cooker pot and just put the rice cooker on cook. It's as easy as that! Wait till it's done.
Step san (hold 3 fingers) Put your ingredients in. There is a certain order to putting your ingredients together. A special one folks! Listen carefully (whispers) cucumber, avocado, crab meat (says loudly) and BAM! You hear that, that's your secret. Place your roasted seaweed down and put your rice on the top. The top only I say. Place your ingredients on top of the rice length wise. In the order which I will repeat (says quietly), cucumber, avocado, crab meat (says loudly) BAM! In rows, spread the Japanese mayonnaise on the bottom.
Step yon (holds up four fingers) Roll and cut. Wow! Rolling the American sushi…. It's very very very very hard! It takes lots of time so be patient. Start from the top and just roll. The mayo will hopefully hold the roll together. Now for the cutting, first you've got to imagine the size you want to cut the pieces into. Then cut slowly and carefully, watch your fingers!
Step Go (holds up one hand) EAT! You have come to the best part! Eating your well made American sushi. Place your delicious scrumptiously pieces on a small plate. Grab your chopsticks and enjoy. But wait! You say you want to know the history of chopsticks?! Well great question and I can answer that for you. Chopsticks were invented 3000 to 5000 years ago. People today don't even know the exact date! The first pair of chopsticks looked like tweezers. Have fun with your chopsticks and enjoy your American sushi!
