How To Make a California Roll

For many people, sushi is one of those foods they have to be convinced to try. I was one of those people.

I am a bit of a coward when it comes to trying new foods; I blame my British upbringing for that. Sushi is one food that I had trouble "getting into" and I admit that I still don't like most sushi. California rolls were the first sushi that I was introduced to, and they remain my favorite. Of course, a purist might say, "that's not real sushi", but it was a good first sushi dish for me to try. Now I have even tried and enjoyed barbequed eel, but that is another story...

California rolls are different from other sushi rolls in that most restaurants serve them "inside-out" with the rice on the outside as opposed to seaweed (nori). The ingredients for making the California roll should be available in most grocery stores or in specialty Asian markets.

Tools and ingredients:

• Bamboo sushi mat
• Plastic wrap
• Sharp knife
• Imitation crab or real crab salad
• Nori
• Cooked rice
• Cucumber
• Avocado
• Sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Cover a bamboo sushi mat with plastic wrap, to avoid the rice sticking to the mat.
2. Place a sheet of nori on top of the plastic wrap.
3. Spread half a cup of cooked rice on top of the nori.
4. Turn the nori over so that the rice is face down on the mat.
5. Spread one layer of avocado slices on top of the nori.
6. Split a piece of imitation crab in half lengthwise. Place pieces end to end on top of the avocado. If you prefer, you can use real crab salad instead.
7. Add slices of cucumber next to the crab, on top of the avocado.
8. Slowly begin rolling the mat to compress and shape the roll. Use equal pressure on each hand to ensure it is even on both sides.
9. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
10. Slice the finished roll in half, using a moist knife to avoid the rice sticking to it. Next, slice each of those halves in half. Then, slice each of those halves in half. You will now have 8 equal-sized pieces.
11. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger.

One way to eat your California roll is to first mix your soy sauce and wasabi together in a small dish. Then you pick up the roll with your chopsticks and dip it in the soy sauce. You then place the entire piece into your mouth. It is considered bad form in Japan to eat it in more than one bite. You can also just skip the wasabi-soy concoction and eat the sushi.

Many restaurants now offer variations on the California roll. You can basically find them with whatever fillings you can imagine. I have seen them with chicken, or ones that are purely vegetarian.