Sushi Day

Red Dragon Roll

Allison — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:00:49 +0000

Supposedly today, June 18, is the "1st International Sushi Day". I say supposedly, because November 1, 2006 (coincidentally the day we launched Sushi Day) was also the "1st" International Sushi Day. And it really wouldn't surprise me if there have been others. Seems to me everyone claiming that today is International Sushi Day is referring to a group on facebook... so it seems to be a pretty arbitrary declaration of this new "international holiday". But who am I to complain? Goodness knows I welcome multiple International Sushi Days every year... I'm down with celebrating sushi as often as possible. :D

So in honor of this "1st" International Sushi Day, of course I have to bring you all a sushi recipe. Because though I know most of you will celebrate by going out for sushi (anyone want to help me convince Son to take me out for sushi tonight? ;)), I'm sure there are at least a few of you who might want to try making sushi at home. So for you, the Red Dragon Roll - my favorite combination of tuna and avocado, with the added coolness of the cucumber to counteract the burning spice of the Sriracha sauce, and the crunchy combination of nutty sesame seeds, salty tobiko, and added umami from the fried onions on top.

Have a wonderful 2nd 1st International Sushi Day!

Katana Roll

Allison — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:44:29 +0000

I am not a gamer. While I do enjoy the occasional video game (I enjoyed the 10-day free trial of WoW a few years ago, and I had a blast playing Halo 3 with Son), I spend very little time reading or looking at anything about video games, and even less time actually playing. (Except for Wii Fit. Believe it or not, it's actually a pretty great game if you want to get in shape... assuming you actually use it on a regular basis.)

Son, on the other hand, is a gamer. If he's not working or watching/playing basketball he's playing, reading about, or watching clips about video games. WoW, Halo, NBA 2K9... the man sure does love his video games.

So when we found out that we could get passes for E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) this year... Son was incredibly excited. Me... not so much. I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy walking around looking at a bunch of video games I'll probably never play, and I feared I'd feel incredibly out of place there.

Of course, my worries were completely silly. I had a blast. Although many of the games meant very little to me (like I said, not a gamer), there were some I recognized - God of War 2, Assassin's Creed 2, some of the Wii games, and the demo of DJ Hero (like Guitar Hero, but for DJs) seemed pretty cool. Of course, if you want a real review of how E3 was and what was there, you're going to have to look elsewhere. Most of the time I didn't really know what I was looking at and didn't play a single demo, though I did enjoy watching Son and his friend Dave play some of the games.

One of the games that Son played was called Mini Ninjas. It was a cute little game... sort of what you might get if you mixed Ninja Gaiden with Raving Rabbids. (See? I do know what I'm talking about. Sort of.) They have it for PS3, XBox360, and the Wii... it comes out in September. We might end up buying it - Son seemed to enjoy it. But that got me thinking about this Katana Roll, if only because of the name. (What? Swords are über cool in my world.)

So this roll, the Katana Roll. Seaweed salad, imitation crab, and mayonnaise, rolled up with sumeshi in a rice paper spring roll wrapper then topped with fried onions. It's a playful roll, slightly sweet from the imitation crab, crunchy from the seaweed salad, salty from the fried onions on top. Light, summery, delicious.

Note: I do not have a recipe for seaweed salad, though I'm definitely looking. I buy my seaweed salad from my local Japanese market - most Japanese and many Asian markets will carry some variation of it. When I do find a good recipe for seaweed salad, I will post it here for you without hesitation, promise!

Protesting Bluefin Tuna

Allison — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:18:38 +0000

In the world of sushi, a big issue these days is sustainability. The way certain fish and other seafood are caught is harmful to the environment, and depleting the limited numbers of fish in the ocean.

One of the most widely-known endangered fish is bluefin tuna. More people who frequently eat sushi know that bluefin is endangered, and may be gone within a few years at the rate we consume them, than any other type of seafood.

Some people who feel strongly about this issue have decided to take action. To help broaden public awareness about the issues concerning bluefin tuna, they are bringing attention to the fact that popular, well-known sushi restaurant Nobu offers bluefin tuna on it's menu. (Many top sushi restaurants no longer serve bluefin tune, opting for the more sustainable yellowfin tuna.)

In recent attempt, many celebrities signed a petition in an attempt to convince the Nobu restaurant in London to remove bluefin from it's offerings, and have threatened to boycott. (See articles here, here, here, and here for more details regarding the petition and boycott.) Alton Brown (of Iron Chef fame) just announced live that he "won't set foot in Nobu until it stops selling bluefin tuna."

Just a week ago there was another such event at the Nobu in TriBeCa, New York, where Greenpeace organized a dine-in. Participants including Casson Trenor, the author of Sustainable Sushi, attempted to replace menus and business cards at Nobu with their own that pointed out Nobu's practice of serving the endangered bluefin tuna, and tried to ask the waitstaff about the sustainability of the sushi they serve. (See articles here, here, and here for more details regarding the dine-in.) It is reported that the participants did tip the waiters that evening, because Nobu's practices are not the responsibility of the waitstaff.

Another such event has been scheduled for tonight at the Nobu in West Hollywood, California.

So I want to know: what do you think about this? Do you think the tactics of Greenpeace were effective? Do you believe Nobu and other restaurants should be left alone to serve whatever they wish? How do you feel about the issue of sustainability as it applies to seafood?

Note: I have never used bluefin tuna on Sushi Day. When I use tuna, I always make a point to use the more sustainable, less endangered yellowfin tuna.

Another note: I really want to hear your opinions, everyone. But please keep it polite and civil - it helps no one if this degenerates into a flame war, and I really don't want to have to butt in and moderate you guys.

Last note, I promise: Don't worry, Sushi Day won't turn into a news-centric site. I'll be back with another sushi recipe within a couple of days, promise.

Fisherman’s Roll

Allison — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:49:23 +0000

My family was never much of an outdoorsy type of family. Never once did we go camping, although we did often go hiking on a local trail. I did get some camping experience with my girl scout troop, but I would still consider myself far more of an indoors, city girl than someone who embraces the wild outdoors.

So I'm always in awe of those who are outdoorsy. Those who go rock climbing, or camping in the wilderness, or whitewater rafting, or even just fishing on a serene lake. Heck, I've only fished once in my life - on the bank of a man-made lake in Arizona, for catfish. We didn't catch a thing.

So for all you hardcore outdoorsy people out there, this roll's for you. This roll is fantastic - it's surprisingly amazing how well smoked salmon and honey mustard complement each other, and the cucumber is a nice cool addition to the roll as well. Smoked salmon and honey mustard may be my favorite new combination (not just for sushi... I've put it in spring rolls and sandwiches as well).

And for now... I'll live vicariously through my friend Friar's fishing adventures.

Lemon Drop Roll

Allison — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:24:00 +0000

Some people are just a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Even when they're going through pain or hard times, they always seem so bright and happy - the kind of person who makes everyone's day better. My friend Wendi Kelly is one such person. As with quite a few of my other good friends, I met her through the Escaping Reality RPG. And the great thing about this woman is that every time I interact with her, whether on ER, or through facebook, or other means of communication, she never fails to make me smile and brighten up even my worst days. :)

Because today is Wendi's birthday, I just had to dedicate this roll to her. It's so bright and sunny, just like she is. Happy birthday, Wendi!

Sassy Shrimp Roll

Allison — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:00:52 +0000

I am a very shy girl. In social situations I'm awkward, quiet, and generally über polite to a fault. Because of this, I have very few people that I can consider really great, close friends. But every once in a blue moon, I meet someone with whom I just *click*. Whether it be online or off, once in a while I just know that I'm going to become very good friends with this person.

Nicole Brunet is one such person. We had probably "seen" each other in passing on certain blogs before then, but we really met almost a year ago when we both joined a new RPG. (Incidentally, I've made quite a few great friends from there. Harry and James have gotten together a damned good group of players there. :D ) Since then we've not only become two of the biggest addicts on ER (I mean... addicts? Nah. We don't have a problem, really.) and fantastic friends. You could call us kindred spirits, even. (No pun intended. ;) )

And... today's her birthday! Happy birthday, Nicole! So, me being me, of course I had to make her sushi. I chose the Sassy Shrimp Roll for her, because ~~Lizzy~~ Nicole is a bit of a sassy one at times (and we all love her for it!) ;) And because this roll was really freaking good. Only the best for my friends. :)

Kyoto Roll

Allison — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:25:09 +0000

Sometimes I think we, as humans, overcomplicate things. We pack our schedules to the gills, we insist on cutting-edge technology for the most mundane tasks, and we are constantly going, going, going. Rarely do we stop and smell the roses, and appreciate the simpler things in life.

It's amazing how some of the best things are actually the simplest of all. For example, this sushi. Goodness knows I've made some ridiculously complicated (though very tasty) rolls in the past couple of years that I've been blogging. But recently, I was reminded that sometimes, simpler is better. Who knew that the simple, almost boring combination of tuna and avocado could be so... non-boring? Exciting, even. Heck, you can get rid of the wasabi mayonnaise, and even the sesame seeds... but you must try the avocado. And. Tuna. So simple, and yet so darned addictive... never would I have dreamed that such a simple combination can be so amazing.

Happy Crab Roll

Allison — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:11:26 +0000

I've been thinking a lot lately, about love, and dreams, and what it all means. Why do some people work their lives away in a job they hate, just to pay the rent, while others get to have the life of their dreams? Why do some marriages fail after only a few years, others go for decades then fall apart, and yet others can still be going strong after 70 years?

A week ago, Son and I went with my family to my great aunt and uncle's 70th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows. You read that right - 70 years. And they're still happy. The way they look at each other... it's plain as day that they still love each other deeply. How can, after 70 years, two people still be so madly in love with each other? (To put that into perspective, that's over three times my lifetime, or eighteen times as long as Son and I have been together.)

I may not know today what goes into a love story such as theirs, but it gives me a lot to think on and strive for in my own life.

This sushi? Bright, beautiful, and happy, just like my great aunt and uncle. Also, very delicious. Crunchy, smooth, cool, warm, salty, spicy, yum.

Contest Winners and Alex’s Dakine Poke Gunkan Maki

Allison — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:30:23 +0000

Congratulations to Friar, Michelle, Elin, Lila L. Bayer, and Sarah Evenson. Thanks to a random number generator, they have been selected as the five winners of the Sustainable Sushi Contest!

As a last-minute bonus, I also decided to throw in a Sushi Day shirt for the winners as well. If you didn't win and would like to purchase one of our awesome shirts, just head on over to the Sushi Day store to buy one.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and if you didn't win this time don't worry, there will be other contests in the future.

Alex's Dakine Poke Gunkan Maki

As we all know, I've got some awesome readers. Often I get emails from readers, telling me about their favorite roll from a sushi restaurant, or a new idea they had for sushi they make at home. This is one such sushi recipe, from a reader named Alex Viera.

The tuna poke mixture used in this gunkan maki has a very complex yet addictive flavor. It is both sweet and spicy, but still the clean tuna flavor is allowed to shine through. This has a heat that slowly builds until it fills your mouth with fire. At the same time, it is so flavorful that you can't help but want more. This recipe has definitely earned a place on the list of sushi that I make over and over again - it's just that good.

Recipe
Nutrition Info

Ingredients

3 sheets nori
4 cups sumeshi
3 jalapenos, minced
3 green onions, finely chopped
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/3 c shoyu
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
5 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp Chinese hot oil
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 lb sashimi-grade ahi (yellowfin) tuna

Cooking Directions

Cook sushi rice.
Slice Tuna into small bite sized pieces.
Mix jalapenos, green onions, brown sugar, shoyu, sesame seeds, sesame oil, hot oil, and black pepper in a bowl.
Add tuna; gently toss with large spoon.
Seal bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.
Gently mix/toss again, seal bowl and refrigerate for one more hour.
Prepare the gunkan maki, using the tuna poke mixture instead of roe.
Enjoy!

Serving Size: 1 piece Alex's Dakine Poke Gunkan Maki

Calories: 140
Fat: 7g, 11% DV
Saturated Fat: 1g, 6% DV
Cholesterol: 11mg, 4% DV
Sodium: 707mg, 29% DV
Total Carbohydrates: 11g, 4% DV
Dietary Fiber: 1g, 4% DV
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 8g, 16% DV
Vitamin A: 16%
Vitamin C: 3%
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 7%
Magnesium: 8%
Potassium: 4%

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. These values are only estimates based on the individual ingredients, and not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional.