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 freaking 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?
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. :lol:
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!
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!!!!!
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. ;)
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.”
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!
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.
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 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! :)
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!
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.
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. :)
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
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!
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! :)