October 2024
SUSHI – An Iconic Japanese Delicacy
Sushi is a vibrant and artfully crafted Japanese delicacy. Made from vinegared rice and filled with a variety of ingredients—like succulent seafood, crisp vegetables, or savoury Japanese omelettes—each piece of sushi is a bite-sized masterpiece.
Discover Delicious Sushi Fillings and Fun Varieties You Can Make at Home
Sushi is a world-famous Japanese delicacy that’s as fun to make as it is delicious to eat. Whether you’re a sushi newbie or a longtime fan, there’s always something new to try with endless combinations of fillings and varieties. Let’s roll into the world of sushi, exploring different types you can make at home and all the fun, creative fillings to keep things fresh and tasty!
Sushi Varieties to Try
First things first: Sushi isn’t just one thing! There are several types, each with its unique twist on ingredients and style. Here are a few popular ones:
Nigiri – This classic sushi consists of a slice of fish or topping (like shrimp) on top of a small mound of hand-pressed rice. Often, nigiri is topped with a dab of wasabi and sometimes tied together with a thin band of seaweed.
Maki – Probably the most recognisable sushi for beginners, maki is a roll wrapped in seaweed and sliced into bite-sized pieces. Maki rolls are easy to experiment with by using different fillings, so they’re a favourite for homemade sushi nights.
Temaki – Think of this as the “hand roll” sushi, with a cone-shaped seaweed wrap that’s filled with rice, fish, and other ingredients. Temaki is fun and easy to make because there’s no need to worry about rolling and cutting – just fill, roll, and eat!
Uramaki – Sometimes called “inside-out” rolls, uramaki have the rice on the outside and the seaweed on the inside. These are perfect for anyone who loves adding toppings to their sushi rolls, as the rice layer can be sprinkled with sesame seeds, furikake or even thinly sliced avocado.
Chirashi – This “scattered sushi” doesn’t involve any rolling or wrapping. Chirashi bowls feature a base of sushi rice topped with various ingredients, from fresh fish to vegetables, all mixed together. It’s a great way to enjoy sushi flavours without needing sushi-making skills!
Creative and Classic Sushi Fillings
Now, let’s get to the fun part – choosing fillings! There’s a classic set of ingredients that many people associate with sushi, but you can mix and match these with unexpected fillings to keep things interesting.
Tuna and Salmon
These are the sushi staples, and for good reason. Tuna and salmon have a rich, buttery flavour and a tender texture that works beautifully in all types of sushi.
Tuna: You’ll see tuna in several forms in sushi, from sashimi-grade slices to minced spicy tuna. If you’re feeling adventurous, try making a spicy tuna roll by mixing it with spicy mayo or sriracha.
Salmon: Known for its mild, slightly sweet flavour, salmon is also perfect for sushi. Try it as a simple nigiri or in a roll with cucumber and avocado.
Shrimp, Prawns and Crab
If you’re into seafood but want a break from fish, shrimp, prawns and crab are fantastic options for sushi.
Shrimp: Cooked shrimp can be used in nigiri or as fillings in rolls. Tempura shrimp is also a delicious addition, adding crunch and a slightly sweet flavour to your sushi.
Crab: Imitation crab is often used in California rolls and is an affordable, tasty choice. For an upgrade, you can use real crab meat, which has a delicate flavour that pairs beautifully with avocado.
Vegetables
Vegetable sushi is not only colourful and vibrant, but it’s also incredibly versatile. Great for vegetarians or anyone looking for a lighter bite, veggie fillings can range from sweet to savoury.
Avocado: Creamy and rich, avocado is a go-to for vegetarian sushi and pairs wonderfully with almost any other filling.
Cucumber: This adds crunch and a refreshing taste that balances well with richer ingredients.
Carrot and Pepper: Thinly sliced carrots and red or green peppers add colour, sweetness, and crunch. They’re perfect for rolls like veggie maki.
Pickled Radish: Known as takuan in Japanese, pickled radish adds a sweet and tangy bite, plus a pop of bright yellow colour.
Egg (Tamago)
Tamago is a Japanese sweet omelette often served on nigiri. It has a slightly sweet, custard-like taste that’s surprisingly delicious with sushi rice. You can make tamago at home by whisking eggs with sugar, mirin, and a pinch of salt before cooking it in a rectangular pan. It’s great for nigiri or cut into strips for adding to rolls.
Tofu
For a vegetarian-friendly and protein-packed option, try marinated tofu. You can marinate it in soy sauce, mirin, and a bit of ginger, then pan-fry it until it’s crispy on the outside. Tofu adds a nice chewy texture and absorbs the flavours around it, making it a fantastic addition to any sushi roll.
Sushi Combinations to Try
Tamago is a Japanese sweet omelette often served on nigiri. It has a slightly sweet, custard-like taste that’s surprisingly delicious with sushi rice. You can make tamago at home by whisking eggs with sugar, mirin, and a pinch of salt before cooking it in a rectangular pan. It’s great for nigiri or cut into strips for adding to rolls.Now that we’ve covered the main ingredients, let’s look at some fun combinations to try:
California Roll: A classic with imitation crab, avocado, and cucumber. Simple, delicious, and universally loved.
Spicy Tuna Roll with Avocado: For a kick of spice, mix tuna with a little sriracha and mayo, then add avocado for creaminess.
Rainbow Roll: This one’s a visual treat! Make a California roll, then top it with thin slices of tuna, salmon, and avocado for a rainbow effect.
Tempura Shrimp Roll with Cucumber: Tempura shrimp adds crunch, and cucumber keeps it fresh. You can top it with spicy mayo for extra flavour.
Veggie Delight Roll: Try a mix of avocado, cucumber, carrots, and pickled radish for a crunchy, colourful vegetarian option.
Sushi Combinations to Try
Sushi is incredibly versatile, so don’t be afraid to try new combinations or ingredients. The best part of making sushi at home is that you can tailor it exactly to your tastes.
Master Your Rice: Sushi rice is crucial to good sushi. Use short-grain Japanese rice, and season it with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to get that slightly sticky, slightly sweet texture that’s perfect for sushi.
So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and roll into the world of sushi-making. Itadakimasu!