Sushi Simplified - Easy Steps to Perfecting Homemade Rolls
Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD
| 2 min read
While many sushi chefs spend upwards of 10 years studying their craft, it’s possible to make delicious beginner rolls at home. Tools like a sushi roller and a rice cooker are nice to have, but not necessary for the process. In the last five years, more grocery chains are carrying ingredients like nori sheets, pickled ginger and more staple ingredients for sushi. For the ultimate beginner, microwavable sticky rice can be mixed with some optional homemade rice seasoning and topped onto nori sheets alongside fish and veggies. For those who feel uncomfortable handling raw fish, smoked salmon, cooked shrimp and imitation crab are great options.
Sushi gets a good and bad rap for health value. Because so many ingredients can make their way in sushi from veggies to fried toppings and rich sauces, they can range in nutrition value. Salmon is an excellent sushi ingredient because of its high omega-3 content, known for helping fight inflammation in the body. Other seafoods make for great choices because they are lean protein sources, meaning they’re low in saturated fat. A wide range of vegetables taste great in sushi. It can be a good idea to think about which textures will complement the roll best. For example, a Philadelphia roll of cream cheese with smoked salmon is mostly soft, so it goes well with crunchy vegetables. On the contrary, a shrimp roll has more of a chew and can benefit from a softer element such as creamy avocado.
If you’re new to making sushi at home, try one of these easy rolls using approachable seafood and ingredients.
This roll features shrimp, creamy avocado and a hint of spice from sriracha. The green onion sprig adds both a nice crunch and pop of flavor.
Philadelphia rolls are a staple at the majority of American sushi restaurants. This easy beginner roll is made with smoked salmon and cream cheese, but with some added vegetables for a crunch. Jalapeño adds a little bit of heat, while green onion adds an extra pop of flavor.
Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. For more recipes and health information, visit ahealthiermichigan.org.
