Save Money on Takeout and Learn How To Make Your Own Sushi

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Takeout sushi is a delicious and convenient option for lunch or dinner, but it can be expensive — especially if you’re buying it often. If you’re looking to save money on your sushi habit, why not learn to prepare it at home? Making your own sushi is not as difficult as you might think and it can save you a ton of money in the long run.

To get started, you’ll need a few basic ingredients and some special tools. Once you have everything you need, making sushi at home is a breeze. In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you should know to make your own delicious sushi. Let’s get started!

THE BENEFITS OF MAKING SUSHI AT HOME

In addition to saving money, there are many other benefits to making your own sushi at home. For one, you’ll have complete control over the quality of the ingredients you use. When you make your own sushi, you can choose fresh, sustainable seafood and organic vegetables. You’ll also be able to customize your sushi to your own taste. If you don’t like fish, you can make vegetarian sushi. Plus, if you have food allergies, you can easily avoid ingredients that are not safe for you to consume.

Another benefit of making your own sushi is that it’s a great way to be creative in the kitchen. With homemade sushi, you can experiment with different flavor combinations and create unique dishes that are all your own. If you’re looking for a new culinary challenge, making sushi at home is a great idea.

INGREDIENTS

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into how to actually make your own sushi at home. To start, gather the following ingredients:

  • Sushi rice
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Nori seaweed sheets
  • Sushi-grade fish or seafood (optional)
  • Sliced vegetables (optional)
  • Wasabi (optional)
  • Soy sauce (optional)
  • Pickled ginger (optional)

EQUIPMENT

You will also need the following utensils and pieces of equipment:

  • A large bowl for mixing the rice
  • A wooden spoon or rice paddle for stirring the rice
  • A damp cloth for covering the bowl of rice (prevents it from drying out)
  • A bamboo mat for rolling the sushi (you can find these at most supermarkets)
  • A sharp knife for cutting the sushi rolls

You can purchase all these items separately, or keep things simple by getting an all-inclusive sushi making kit.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Once you gather your ingredients and your sushi making kit, you’ll want to start by preparing your rice. Rinse the sushi rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Then, place the rice in a large bowl and add 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. Stir the rice and water together until the water is absorbed, then cook it.

Next, in a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Pour this mixture over the cooked rice and stir gently until all of the grains are coated. Then, cover the bowl with a damp cloth and set it aside for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to absorb.

While the rice is resting, prepare your other ingredients. If using seafood or fish, slice it into thin strips. If you want to add vegetables like cucumber or avocado, slice them into thin strips as well.

Once everything is prepared, it’s time to roll the sushi! Place one nori sheet on a bamboo mat and spread a layer of rice over it, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges of the nori sheet. Then, place your fillings in the center of the rice and roll up the nori sheet tightly around them. Wetting your fingers with water will help to seal the roll.

Once rolled up, use a sharp knife to cut the roll into 6-8 pieces. Serve immediately with soy sauce and a side of wasabi and pickled ginger (if desired). Enjoy!