We were determined to carry through with our mission.

No matter we hadn't the experience nor the integral ingredients. We had an eager plan and willing to give it an earnest try. First step - procure the goods...

After a quick search on Google, luckily we found an oriental market only a few miles away. Our list comprised the necessary components: short grain rice, seasoned rice vinegar, roasted nori, fresh avocado and salmon. Check! I already had toasted sesame seeds in the spice cabinet as well as a fresh cucumber in the fridge.

Cooking the sushi rice took a quick fifteen minutes (we made two cups), and after cooling it down a bit, we incorporated the vinegar to make it real sticky. With our bamboo mats, assembling the seaweed wraps was quite tricky in the beginning, but after the second roll, we got into a rhythm...

Sushi originated in Southeast Asia as a method of preserving fish. Raw, cleaned fish would be pressed with layers of rice and salt. After months of fermenting, the layers would be preserved and ready to eat. Narezushi, as it is known, has a distinct and strong flavor, contrary to what we identify as sushi today. In the 18th Century, Hanaya Yohei developed what we commonly refer to as the modern idea of sushi, pressing fish on small pads of seasoned rice and served as fast food for the masses.

There are three kinds of sushi: nigri-sushi (hand-formed sushi) is the most commonly known, consisting of a small rectangular or oval shaped pad of pressed rice with a neta, or topping; maki-sushi (rolled sushi) is a cylindrical roll formed by wrapping nori (seaweed) around rice and one or more fillings; temaki-sushi (hand-rolled sushi) is a cylindrical sushi made with nori, rice, and fillings, rolled by hand, usually containing stronger flavored ingredients. Some people refer to maki-sushi as a Japanese burrito, while temaki-sushi would be a Japanese taco.

Ironically, my first taste of sushi was during the last months of pregnancy with Brenna. Maybe that is the reason she loves it so much!

Yep, we did it... Mission accomplished! What a team!  Simply sushi...
xoxo-Sonya