Sushi and sunshine, and friends and family.
I can think of few more enjoyable combinations.
Last Sunday brought four of my favorite things together.
Sushi and sunshine, and friends and family.
I can think of few more enjoyable combinations.
Last Sunday brought four of my favorite things together.
It had been a long time since my husband, Chris, and I had prepared sushi for guests, let alone for ourselves.
Ever since Chris and I learned how to make sushi in college, inviting friends and family over for sushi had become a long-standing tradition.
It all began one sunny San Francisco day when Chris’ Japanese professor taught a group of students, myself and Chris included, the art of sushi-making. While I admit the delicacy may not seem complicated to prepare – rice and raw fish, how hard could it be? – believe you me it’s not as simple as it seems.
We stood around the tiny kitchen and watched as Professor Shimazu expertly chopped the tuna, yellowtail and scallops into paper-thin slices. Then he showed us how to carefully assemble the rice balls that each piece of fish would nestle on.
It took many, many clumsy attempts before Chris and I perfected the steps. And I’m sure there is still much room for improvement.
But I will let you in on a little secret: your sushi rice can either make or break the meal. It shouldn’t be too sweet or too plain. Only just the right amount of rice vinegar, sugar and salt will do.
Believe it or not, I didn’t always like sushi. In fact, as a teen-ager I was quite afraid to try it. That was until my Dad took me to a sushi bar near our home, ordered everything on the menu, and watched as I tried each bite.
By the end of the meal, I was hooked.
Sushi now ranks as one of my top favorite foods. Chris and I celebrated when Ninja Sushi moved to Gilroy. If you haven’t been there – and who hasn’t? – try it sometime.
I have even been as fortunate to eat sushi in Tokyo. That was a treat – albeit an expensive one. Chris was studying abroad our junior year in college and my Dad and I paid him a visit.
We ate the most fabulous sushi in a sushi bar in Tokyo. Over the dinner, we met a Japanese couple whose daughter was studying in the United States. They were very curious about our lives in California, and over sake and plates of sushi, we traded stories.
That is one of the wonderful things about sushi – or any shared meal for that matter. Enjoying it with others
Of course, now that I’m expecting again, I have to resist and can only eat the cooked fish. But I take great delight in fixing sushi for others: making the rice, chopping the fish and setting platters covered with sushi before our guests.
It had been nearly two years since the last time Chris and I had a “sushi day” when we decided it was time. We certainly didn’t need an excuse or a reason. Just days before the set event, we called my parents and family friends to invite them for dinner.
Sushi was the only thing that was needed to say. On the appointed day, everyone came bearing gifts – the freshest fish and the best sake. Chris and I got down to work and soon the kitchen table was covered in plates teeming with sushi. Everyone agreed it was worth the wait. And this time the sushi rice turned out just right. Our daughter, Emma, certainly approved.
Next time, Chris and I won’t wait so long to have another sushi party. Friends and family, sushi and sunshine. I’ll always make time for four of my favorite things.
