Do you want to hear the saddest little story (and see the most epic photo montage?)
Not once during the entire 4 months I was a camp counselor in Japan did a sumptuous piece of sushi ever cross my lips.
Sushi. In Japan. Where it was friggin’ invented.
I could smack my little 19 year old self in the face! What were you thinking? I’d like to ask her! How could you sit at all those conveyor belt restaurants and let the freshest sushi on the planet whiz right past you while you ordered…Miso Soup?!
(source)
How could you nearly barf after learning your roommate was savoring raw salmon from what you now recognize as the most delectable looking sashimi platter you have ever seen?
(source)
Luckily I came to my senses somewhere around 21, and enjoyed a healthy amount of briny, sweet, fresh, melt-in-your-mouth sushi when my Mom and I returned for an unforgettable Mother/Daughter trip a few years later.
I’ve had a love affair going with all things raw and rolled ever sense.
I used to make sushi all the time a couple years ago, but fell out of the habit because, let’s be real, it’s kind of a pain in the butt.
Pressing out the rice for the inside of the rolls is super sticky, and I find myself not even hungry by the time I get a platter all ready to go, since I’ve eaten all the ends and mistakes along the way.
This weekend I randomly got a craving to give it another go, though.
Knowing I wouldn’t have the patience to spend time churning out rolls on a weeknight, I transformed my standard recipe for a California Roll into a California Roll WRAP! 
I started by rinsing 1 cup sushi rice in water,
then cooked it according to package directions.
Into the hot rice, I drizzled 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 heaping Tablespoon sugar and a dash of salt that I had nuked in the microwave for 30 seconds.
Sushi rice is tre delicate so I mixed it up by making big “X’s” in the cooked grains with a wooden spoon.
Folding it every now and again to get it all mixed up.
I poured the hot rice on a platter to cool down, then got to work cutting up the rest of my California Roll Wrap ingredients:
Cucumber, imitation crab, avocado,
toasted sesame seeds,
and sliced nori.
I have found nori (the outside of a sushi roll) everywhere from Dahl’s to Super Walmart and specialty Asian Stores. I think it’s key to getting that classic, sushi flavor. 
To assemble the California Roll Wraps I started with a large lettuce leaf. Any kind’ll do.
I spooned on some sticky, seasoned rice,
then layered on cucumber,
crab,
avocado,
sliced nori and sesame seeds.
(millions of less disturbing pieces, anyone?)
Drizzled with a little soy sauce,
wrapped,
and devoured!
Enjoyed with a side of laughter. 
I think I inhaled some sesame seeds – HACK!!!
Ohhh, good times.
Totally loved this din-din. Less hassle, but all the classic flavors of that smooth and creamy California Roll. It’s great for sushi beginners too because there’s no raw fish!
In other news, I’m off to run some errands tonight, then tuck in to watch Most Eligible Dallas. When did Bravo become my favorite television network?!
‘night!
~~~~~
If you could tell your 19 year old self one thing, what would it be?
Oh goodness, where do I start? Since most of my 19th year was spent trolling the underbelly of Iowa City, I’ll just say: take off the heels. Flats are your friend.
first of all, HOLY COW does that look good!! I would probably handroll it it in a nori sheet myself because I can’t get enough of the stuff. The major reason why I haven’t gotten around to making my own sushi is because I’m so super-intimidated by the sushi rice– I just can’t seen to get it right!
If I could go back and tell my 19yr old self one thing, it would be to stop being so clingy– it pushed away the man I ended up marrying
I always follow the directions on the back of the rice bag and it turns out great!
THIS IS AWESOME! Great idea!
that is such a good idea! i think i will try this soon!
SO much easier than making traditional sushi. I’m all about simplicity. Nice idea!
We LOVE making homemade sushi. Last time we did, we used lettuce as well. It’s so much more functional and fun to eat.
mmmmm I love the idea!
I would tell my 19 year old self that food is fuel, not the enemy to obsess over
And to dump the bf, he was an ass
amen.
Like!
heather now to 19-year-old heather: “go back to school, he’s going to cheat on you before you’re 20″
*two seconds later*
heather now to 19-year-old heather: “also…lose the tongue stud, you’ll thank me later”
that lettuce looks really delectable, by the way. i never notice things like lettuce(because, um, it’s lettuce)but it looks *really* green and fresh. nice!
Bahaha!
I LOVE this idea! Definitely a must-try
.
That’s a great idea! I could eat sushi every night of the week.
I would tell my 19-year-old self to get out and have fun—seriously–I was way too sheltered and serious! I wish I could do my freshman year in college all over again!
I was having a major craving for sushi tonight, but instead ended up with a Wig & Pen pizza, whoops! I would tell my 19 year old self to end the relationship once and for all and to give it a shot with “the other guy” and to change my major to nursing
Love that you made your own sushi! There must be an Asian food bug going around because tonight I made my own Korean food!
I LOVE BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Def my fave channel theses days.
Looks great! I would tell my 19 year old self to worry less, travel more and call my grandma more often.
your pictures are always so beautiful!
Your homemade sushi looks goooooooood too. Anything with sesame seeds and soy sauce has my heart
I’m not yet 19, but when I’m still telling my 19 year old (future) self that I better be traveling every chance I get! I can’t get enough of it
I’m right there with ya…I LOVE Bravo
Such a guilty pleasure network!
If I could tell my 19 year old self anything it would be to worry about the important things in life and to ser the bigger picture.
**I’m not yet 19, but I’m still telling my 19 year old (future) self that I better be traveling every chance I get!
Ha sorry, last one didn’t make any sense
Great idea! I am taking a sushi cooking class next week at New Pioneer Food Coop in Iowa City – so excited!
I would tell my 19 year old self to follow your dreams and go to culinary school!
Girl you make the best looking and tasting food ever! You need your own show on Bravo! Why Bravo? Cuz I’m addicted to it too. Btw… We made your Apricot Glazed Goat Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers the other night and WOWGASM!! I have to make it again this week. Thanks for all the great recipes and thanks for your great humor.
To my 19 year old self… Don’t sweat the small stuff.
i’d tell my 19 y/o self to relax and have fun!
If I could tell my 19 year old self something it would be, “PUT SOME CLOTHES ON.”
Love sushi. Love this idea. Will be making it STAT.
Great idea for the sushi. Honestly I have never even tried to make sushi since it looks so complex (and honestly I prob never will try) but this recipe I will totally try.
Fun fact: I went to college with Courtney Kerr from Most Eligible Dallas. She was my big sister in our social club (name a Christian school gives sororities). SO WEIRD to see her on TV. I pulled out my pictures from when I pledged and there are a ton of me & her, so crazy that she is on tv.
If I could tell my 19 year old self something it would be “stop playing the comparison game. You are beautiful just the way God made you!”
I LOVE Bravo… but Most Eligible Dallas is horrendous. Maybe it’s because I’m from Dallas, and I went to high school with the girl Neill on there… but I find myself shaking my head and laughing for most of it!
I would tell my 19 year old self that the guy I liked was an ass and totally not worth it. I would also say that everything will end up how it’s supposed to. And wow…. that meals looks splendid:)
LOL – my 19-year-old self. How *almost* 30 really isn’t THAT old – and that even though you think you’re having fun now, it’s nothing compared to how awesome your life will be in 10 years with two girls and a fantastic husband. Enjoy your blog – just found it a few days ago! Good to see someone else represent the midwest in a positive light!!
I would tell her “STOP EATING, love yourself, and that a real man will love you for who you are”.
That dinner looks YUM. I would tell my 19 year old self a lot of things, but I’d start with telling myself to get help and not be ashamed of it. I had serious problems with depression, anxiety, and OCD. It cost me the ability to function in college, but I just didn’t want to admit to myself how bad it was. Thankfully, I wised up, got treatment, and learned how to thrive in spite of it!
ugh what i would do to go back to 19 with perspective. i would tell myself that life is more than a boyfriend, and to pay attention in class instead of coasting by. i would also have tried to get out of my comfort zone more. sushi looks great. i have recently gone vegetarian, i would love to see a few more vegetarian recipes in your blog i love it!
What is imitation crab?
Wiki says: Crab sticks (imitation crab meat, seafood sticks, krab) are a form of kamaboko, a processed seafood made of finely pulverized white fish flesh (surimi), shaped and cured to resemble crab leg meat
You could use real crab or a different fish but it wouldn’t be a “California roll” without crab or krab
I love this idea! I’ve never had luck making my own rolls so I do sushi bowls now. Just all your roll ingredients but deconstructed into a bowl instead of rolled up!
When I make the rice I just stir the sesame seeds into that. I suppose it all ends up the same.
YUM! Your blog always reminds me that I can make things at home in a simpler, and probably more delicious, way.
I would definitely tell myself to quit playing beer pong… hello germfest. Aaand to actually pay attention in class.
This looks great! Easy modifiable. Hubs would need some beef in his!
I think I’d tell my 19 year old self to KEEP GOING. It all works together for GREAT in the end. Even if relationships suck. Keep working on friendships and keep having fun!
I love california rolls. I always end up ordering that along with some other type of vegetarian roll when I go out for sushi. I love the idea of a california wrap! So clever!
GREAT idea! There have been many coupon deals lately for sushi classes- I’ve debated buying one but doubt I could/ would actually make sushi at home :/ And if I knew how to make the delicious ooey, gooey, rice like they do in the restaurant, I fear that I will turn into a rice ball [so good]!
I’d tell my 19-year old self…
You’re younger than you feel. You have an entire lifetime ahead of you. Stop being so afraid. Make things happen.
Wow! Love the simple-sushi idea! And you’ve eliminated the pain of rolling up the goods. Love the dinner!
Hmmm. At 19 – I am not sure I would’ve changed anything. I was at college, trying new things, making mistakes, getting over my first love/heartbreak, and was living large every day. Sure, I could’ve done things differently, but then I would not be where I am at today. I studied abroad in Ireland for a semester, and I would not have taken a job teaching English in Japan right after college if I things were different. And that was just friggin cool!
If I could tell my 19 yr old self anything, I would tell her – Think, really think, about what you want from this life. Go get it! Forget about what other people want you to do and what you “should do.”
travel more! I’ve been eating sushi since I was 12 but would have NEVER traveled to Japan at age 19 (what was I thinking?!) So, you know, it goes both ways.
I would tell my 19 year old self to SLOW DOWN…. don’t be in such a hurry!!!
You can get really great seaweed at Trader Joes.. Ah hem!!!!!
I’m going to try to make this into a salad!!!
Um, genius idea! Why have I never seen/heard/thought of this before? Totally cost efficient and easy way to make sushi! Another one for next month’s menu!!!
What would I have told myself at 19? Where to start is right! I would tell myself to get serious about my college classes and to transfer from my local community college to a university away from my hometown. I would tell myself to break up with my high school sweetheart because its not going to last anyway and I made way too many life decisions based on that relationship, and to keep my major of nursing and not become a police officer! (Love my job but nursing would’ve yielded much better quality of life in the long-run.)
Nicole, I can tell you now… go back to nursing!!! It’s not too late!
I’d tell my 19 year old self to dump the controlling-douche-boyfriend and stop working so much after school and GO OUT AND HAVE SOME FUN!!!
Ahahhhahah love you. Cheater’s sushi. I like it.
List of things my 19 year self should hear:
1) Put the credit card down. It’s not a novelty item.
2) Ask for help when you need it.
3) Put some room between you and the boy. If he’s not cool with it, that’s a sign.
4) Take the job on Mackinac Island. You blew it by wanting to stay with the boy for the summer.
And of course, stand up straight. It will do wonders for your posture and your self esteem.
Posture really is incredibly important! I would always roll my eyes when my grandma nagged me about this, but it really does take off 5 pounds. Not to mention the wonders it does for the back and neck.
I’ve just rediscovered my love for sushi and making it into lettuce wraps is brilliant. Must make this very soon! Like, tomorrow! That would be a lot easier if we could use our stove
Its brand new so we need to make sure it wont melt the pots we have!
I would tell my 19 year self that eating leftover jello shots on Monday morning in an attempt to postpone a hangover is NEVER a good idea. I would also remind her that she does not in fact know everything. If you sit back and listen once and awhile you may just learn something.
What a great idea! I can’t wait to give this a try.
I would tell my 19yr old myself to always use a good moisturizer and sleep in while I can.
That looks delicious! I’m going to have to try it. My hubby and I make sushi at home and he’s really good at rolling it. We even got the bamboo roller thing and I just stand there and wait impatiently!
Bravo rocks. Nuff said.
My former 19 yr old self had a lot of grown up responsibilities very quickly due to an extremely ill mother. I learned a lot those early adult years and I wouldn’t change it. I had fun along the way too!
This is a great idea! I’ve never made sushi, but I have a whole set of sushi plates and platters. I’ve just never wanted to go to the trouble, but I could TOTES do this.
If I could tell my 19 year old self anything it’d be to just be patient. And loosen up a bit
I would tell my 19 year old self to not put off college!