Itchy's Guide To...

Ever fancied learning how to make those tasty little rolls of rice and raw fish yourself? Well Itchy's got our razor-sharp knives and rolling mats out, so read on...

Firstly, don't make sushi when you're famished.

It's an intricate process and takes a little time, so if all you want to do is stuff your face with satisfying grease, prop up the counter at your local chippy. Sushi making is for the strong of will only.

Firstly, decide what you want inside and cut it into long lengths. We used a selection of:

Fresh Salmon
Crab Meat
Tuna
Pickled Radish
Cucumber
Avocado

Then you need sushi rice (yes a special type of rice which will make the process a whole lot better), rice vinegar and sugar.

Wash the rice until the water runs clear

Use slightly more water than rice to cook. Boil the water first then add the rice. Turn the heat down after a few minutes and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Keep watching/stirring (gently now...) as it'll stick and you'll look silly.

Let the rice cool then add the rice vinegar (this has to be mixed with sugar first (usually the same ratio, so three tablespoons of vinegar mixed with three of sugar)

Next up, the Nori (seaweed sheets) goes shiny side down onto the rolling mat. Coat the Nori with a thin layer of rice, leaving an inch clear at the far end of the sheet. About a third of the way down (from you) create a small groove across the rice.

Place the first of your chosen ingredients along the groove. Best to put the loose things in first then firmer things last (so they are closer to you – it makes it easier to roll).

Now roll up. take care when you first do this as the ingredients may spill over each other. The inch left at the end should come in useful if you need to stick the roll together more securely. If you want squares or other shapes do this when the roll is still inside the mat. Next open the mat and cut it all up.

Oh and try Kikkoman soy sauce on the sushi – its pretty damn nice.

Here's one that we made earlier:
make your own sushi