Sushi!

This was requested by a reader of ours.  They wanted to read about sushi.  

So here is my guide to making your own sushi.

To start with you will need 2 base ingredients #1 Nori/Seaweed and #2 Rice.  

I get my nori in a 10 pack from the grocery store. It goes for about $2.25 to $3.  Normally you would use white rice but as I have been experimenting I have found that other types of rice have interesting flavor combinations in sushi.  For this guide I have chosen white rice.

 To begin you will want a flat surface to place your nori on.  I have chosen a cutting board.  Lay out the nori flat and spread the cooked rice all over it in a thin manner.  Try not to spread it out too close to the edges.

 When adding the rice make sure it is drained.  Excess water is to be avoided.

 The nori comes in paper like sheets which are very thin and can tear or rip easily. 

Be careful when opening the package. 

 Chose your ingredients. I have chosen tuna and avocado. Place them in a row in the middle of the sheet on top of the rice.  As before try not to go all the way to the edges with your toppings.

 

 Gently but firmly start rolling the nori from the bottom to the top.  You want it as cylindrical as possible.

 Choose a sharp knife that does not have a large serrated edge.  If you choose a poor knife, your sushi will look ripped and torn like mine above.  Carefully cut slices to be 1 and a half inches to 2 inches in length.

 There are many sauces you can choose.  I prefer yum yum sauce. 

 Sprinkle some on the top to taste.

For a healthier alternative to yum yum sauce try adding coleslaw to the roll.

Spicy Asian Beef

Thaw slender strips of beef steak.

Finely slice green and red peppers. Keep seeds with them for spicy flavor.  Add to an oiled pan, add 1.2 cup water and set aside to be put in oven at same time with the beef.

Marinate the beef slices with a garlic, red pepper, sesame ginger teriyaki barbecue sauce.

Place in preheated oven set on 400 degrees. Place the peppers in the oven at the same time.

Cook them both for 20-30 minutes

Pile them atop a bed of rice or noodles.

Vs. Hibachi China Buffet

This was a great food experience.  We decided we wanted an Asian buffet.  We chose Hibachi China Buffet.  It is located in a very nice location.  We expected the typical Asian buffet experience, food that has been sitting out for hours, few if any guests, dim lighting, a tired played out asian music cd being repeated for the 100th time, and waitresses that looked irritated that we had come to interrupt their texting.
We were really surprised, the place didn't compare to any buffet we had ate at before. Upon arriving we were greeted by 2 large stone statues.  The inside was packed,  we did not wait to be seated very long.  Maybe the wait was 5 minutes.
To entertain us there was an expensive koi pond which featured some nice looking fish and even 2 small turtles.  Brilliant almost flamboyant lighting was everywhere you looked. 

The food was fresh and fantastic. I started off with a sushi plate.  

The sushi is made there fresh in front of you. The sushi chef worked tirelessly preparing the rolls.  

All of it was delicious.  

 My next plate was heavier, it was steamed and fried dumplings with chicken teriyaki

and an egg roll.  The dumplings actually had a taste to them and the meat filling inside of them.  I never had either before that had a taste. The chicken teriyaki and egg roll were about average.

 I ordered a beef soup and they asked which type of noodle I wanted. I gave them a clear answer and what I got was a mix of 2 different types.  That was not the bad part of the bowl of soup.  The beef soup tasted too much of vegetables, and the meat was tasteless. I barely had 2 spoons. Disappointing.

Next up was the hibachi, you fill your plate at the station with the meats and vegetables that you want and tell them what sauces you want.   I choose onions, mushrooms, noodles, and steak. 

Was well prepared and tasty.

 Lastly, for desert I had some sweet strawberry cake, a type of whipped pineapple treat and some cherry sauce covered bananas.  For a Chinese buffet desert menu this is very common.  

The cakes were very good but the exact same as any other Chinese buffet I have been to.

The cakes were very good but the exact same as any other Chinese buffet I have been to.

 

The architecture really gave a sense of being in China.  

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Overall experience was a good one. Will return to eat here again.  It had a great atmosphere.
The waitresses were nice and always ready to fill your cup.

Sugar Treats Or Art?

I found these tasty treats awhile ago but forgot all about them.

I wouldn't try anything as dramatic as what are shown in the videos.
Might try a simple dog or cat face someday.  

Such skill goes into these, shame they go for less then 10 cents.

Ingredients needed: sugar and corn syrup

Sugar Painting Chinese Dragon

Sugar Art: Peacock

more sugar art

sugar blowing