The buttery feel of avocado across the palate inspired sushi chefs in the ’70s, when an ingredient with a similar texture was nearly impossible to obtain in California. California Rolls get their name from the avocados they contain—the fruits grow abundantly there....
Makes one 8- or 9-inch (20 or 23 cm) pie, enough for 8 servings This raw pie will dazzle your family and friends. Including the optional coconut oil or guar gum will help the slices of pie maintain a firmer edge when cut. However, this filling is also superb with...
The tofu should be pressed so the batter will adhere to it. Place the block between two clean dishtowels or paper towels. Set a bowl holding a few canned items on top. Drain for 10 minutes. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hoursSushi Prep Time: 30 minutesMakes 4 rolls (20...
Typically, spider sushi rolls feature a fried soft-shell crab inside a thick roll. The playful name describes how the legs of the crab extend beyond the sides of the roll. Here, fried shimeji and enoki mushrooms provide a similar, vegetarian-friendly effect. Rice Prep...
I enjoy sweet potatoes in almost any form, especially when the flavor is sweet and salty. As an alternative to boiled sweet potatoes, try Soy Glazed Sweet Potatoes. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hoursSushi Prep Time: 30 minutesMakes 4 rolls (20 pieces) 1½ cups (375 ml)...
In sushi school, one of the skills we worked on daily was learning to cut vegetables into long, thin continuous sheets that could be used as wrappers. It requires a special kind of knife as well as a special kind of patience. These cucumber-wrapped rolls offer a...
My use of pickled okra has become somewhat of a “signature” throughout my sushi career. It is a nod to my Southern roots, and I almost always feature it in some form. Here, I like it paired with fresh corn kernels. If the corn is very sweet and fresh, you can forego...
Tossing a bit of grated beet with the sushi rice gives it a pleasant pink hue and prevents your rolls from looking as if they are bleeding. Regardless of the type of beet you use, be sure to mix some of it with your sushi rice before making the rolls for the best...
Many sushi bars like to add spicy mayonnaise to their fillings, but I prefer to add it to the tops of rolls, where it stays tidy. Adding it to the mix makes things messy, as the mayonnaise often oozes out the sides during the rolling process. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½...
Creamy butternut squash pairs well with sweet and spicy crystallized ginger. If, like me, you’re particularly fond of crystallized ginger, provide some on the side in place of pickled ginger as a palate cleanser. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hoursSushi Prep Time: 30...
Resist the urge to combine different types of pickles inside a single roll. Using just one variety for each roll allows every component—rice, pickle, nori—to be fully appreciated. Rice Prep Time: Up to 1½ hoursSushi Prep Time: 15 minutesMakes 4 rolls (24 pieces) Four...
A dull or lightweight knife can sometimes snag on the almonds, pulling rather than cutting them. This can rip the nori and make the slices uneven. To prevent this, make sure your knife is very sharp and exert a little extra force when cutting pieces. Rice Prep Time:...