sushi advice...

[firecat88]

I have to make a point here.

Sushi is not raw fish. Yes, it can contain it, but what makes sushi what it is is the rice.

Thank you.

[jedimaster91]

ok...advice on the fish? can i just get it at the grocery store?

If you have a Whole Foods in your area, they are probably your best option. The fish guy at mine told me their fish is "better than sushi-grade." But it is expensive. Like over $10/lb expensive. Usually you'll need less than a pound, but that kind of thing adds up if you're using more than one kind of fish (Rainbow Roll, anyone?). The stuff you pull out of the supermarket freezer is definitely NOT safe to eat raw. Some of it I'm not sure is safe to eat cooked, either.

I have found the vinegar-salt-sugar mixture in powder form; if you want, I could probably get and ship you a few packs.

Our local Asian market has something similar. My only beef with it is you have to make a ton of rice per packet. Good thing the rice freezes well.

My Tips:
-Invest in a copy of Sushi for Dummies or other sushi cookbook. The books will tell you the basics of what you need.
-Rinse the rice before cooking or else it tastes chalky. This is true not only for sushi rice, but any kind of rice.
-Make sure you use non-reactive cookware like wood or glass. Whatever you do, do NOT use metal.
-Wrap your bamboo mats in plastic wrap. That way the sticky rice sticks to the plastic wrap and not your mat.
-Make sure you keep your knives and cutting boards meticulously clean. Wash utensils and boards with hot, soapy water, and don't use the same tools for raw stuff and cooked stuff.

[Gerrinson]

I can't give any good advice, but I'm jealous of what you pay now - $7 for 9 pieces? I'd be jumping for joy.

Around here it's normally $5+ for 2 pieces, with the best 'meal' deal being $16 for 9 pieces, but that is chef's choice and I'm picky so it doesn't work out well for me.

Best of luck in making your own though. I definitely recommend a rice cooker, we totally love ours, it is full of awesome!

[Sarlon]

that 9 pieces is from our local earth fare.

update though guys....found the asian market here in town (mostly dry goods), and bought 5 pounds of sushi rice, a bamboo rolling mat, a good sized pack of nori, and the powder stuff that you were talking about...

problem with the powder is its all in japanese....

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Authentic!