Jun 03 2011

How to Make California Rolls without Tobiko

There are many video tutorials out there on how to make California Rolls, but I like this one because it covers some hidden secrets that are not mentioned in the other self-made-videos. Here are the takeaways.
Wait until the sushi rice is cool because nori falls apart easily if the rice is hot. Unless you are a sushi novice, you want your nori to be crispy when you put your sushi in your mouth. Nori absorbs moisture very quickly and when it does, it changes the texture and become soggy. This is why Benji’s advice (I believe that’s the name of the video host) on using cold rice is very important.
The second takeaway is using Japanese mayo. For those of you who haven’t tried Japanese mayo, you should. It is distinctively better and creamier than Kraft mayo or any other brands. It costs more of course, but your money will not be wasted.
The third takeaway is using the right amount of sushi rice. If you are making sushi rolls for the first time, my guess is that you will end up using too much rice. The result is fat rice rolls. Now about the red tiny eggs… Tobiko is actually flying fish eggs, not salmon roe. Salmon roes are in a sack with bigger individual pieces.

Benji consciously doesn’t care to know anything about what she doesn’t like and rightfully so, but she really knows what she is doing.

Jun 17 2007

Guide to Common Sushi Toppings

Guide to Common Sushi Toppings

Article Written By: Marisa Baggett

There are many fish in the sea and each has a Japanese name that sushi bars commonly list on menus. Use this guide and you’re unlikely to get caught in a sea of confusion.

Ama ebi- sweet shrimp, served raw as sashimi. The heads are usually deep fried and offered to the diner as a treat to accompany rest of the shrimp.

Bonito- the fish dried and used as a main flavor in Japanese stocks. It is also charred lightly on the outside and used for sushi and sashimi.

Chu toro- fatty tuna belly located next to the red flesh of the tuna.

Ebi- shrimp.

Fugu- the ultimate gamble! This blowfish is expertly cut and served by only certified fugu masters. The flesh is safe for consumption only if cut properly as any incorrect cuts will release toxic poisons throughout the fish. If cut incorrectly, eating tainted fugu is deadly.

Hamachi- cultivated yellowtail.
Hirame- halibut.

Hotate gai- jumbo scallop.
Ika- squid.

Ikura- salmon roe.

Kajiki- swordfish.

Kaki- oyster.
Kani- crab.

Kanikama- imitation crab.

Karei- flounder.

Katsuo- bonito

Kazunoko- herring roe.

Kibinago- baby sardine.
Kobe- name of place in Japan where prized beef is raised. The beef, also called Kobe, is very fatty and marbled and is highly expensive.
Maguro- general term for tuna.

Masago- smelt roe.
Miru gai- giant clam.
Otoro- part of the tuna belly that is closest to the skin.

Saba- Japanese mackerel, usually marinated in vinegar before serving.

Sake- salmon.
Shiro maguro- white tuna, albacore.

Shirome- term used for whitefish.

Suzuki- sea bass.
Tai- snapper.

Tako- octopus.

Tamago- egg. Often used to refer to a sweet Japanese omelet.
Tobiko- flying fish roe.
Toro- generic term used for fatty tuna belly.

Unagi- broiled freshwater eel.

Uni- sea urchin roe

Uzura- quail eggs.