How to Throw a Sushi Party

While even the most competent home cook may be intimidated at the thought of making sushi at home, it's quite easy. It's also a fun and creative way to involve your family, friends and dinner guests in making dinner. For those people who profess to dislike sushi what they may not realize is that the ingredients are incredibly versatile and limited only by imagination and budget.

If you don't already have your own sushi mats, you can find them at most grocery stores in a home sushi kit. They're also available where kitchen tools and gadgets are sold, in some health food stores, and in Asian groceries or markets. You can find simple directions for rolling sushi online, in the sushi kits, and sometimes they're included with the mats as well. If you've ever eaten at a sushi bar, chances are you've already absorbed the technique by watching the sushi chefs.

Sushi rice is really the best rice to use for sushi. Follow the directions on the bag, but I always stir in some seasoned rice vinegar after it's cooled. If you can't find sushi rice, use a short-medium grain rice and use the proportions of 1 1/2 cups water to 1 cup or rice when cooking. You could also use a medium grain brown rice. Always make more rice than you think you need, because even if you don't use it all it makes good leftovers.

Now for the fun part, assembling the ingredients. While most sushi lovers have their favorite rolls they get at the sushi bar, I find it's easier to assemble the ingredients and let everyone create their own roll. While there are certain traditional ingredients that are popular, such as tuna, crab, avocado, green onions, etc., it's fun to include some new and interesting foods into the mix.

Who says sushi has to be all fish? Why not sear a seasoned filet mignon, slice into strips, and assemble into a roll with a green onion, a slice of red bell pepper, and some crumbled blue or goat cheese? You could cook up lean hamburger or strips of flank steak with taco or fajita seasoning and make a fajita roll with beef, brown rice, lowfat cheddar, green onion, salsa and lowfat sour cream.

Of course fish and shellfish are healthy and delicious. If you're going to use raw fish make sure it's from a reputable source and is the proper grade. Try cooking up raw shrimp or bay scallops with garlic chili sauce for a deliciously spicy roll. You could also include good quality canned smoked mussels or oysters or fresh smoked salmon. Create some healthy vegetarian sushi rolls without fish or meat with different combinations of sliced veggies such as steamed asparagus, bell peppers, shelled edamame, steamed spinach, etc.

There are endless ways to create interesting and incredible sushi rolls. Have your family and friends help chop and prep the ingredients and then spread them out on cutting boards and trays while everyone takes turns making delicious rolls for all to share. Not only will it be a great food experience but you won't have to do all the work!