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One of My Favorite Places to Go is the Zoo

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One of My Favorite Places to Go is the Zoo

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My dog Smokie. He is some kind of mixed breed and sheds a whole lot.

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I really enjoy doing puzzles. This one I did with the help of my mom was 2000 pieces.

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I enjoy playing many different board games with my family.

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Sometimes I make my own sushi too.

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Homemade Sushi is so much cheaper than at the restaurant. Plus, it's easy and fun to make your own rolls at home, so you can put all your favorite ingredients into your perfect custom roll - here's how!

I'll be very honest and say that there's definitely a reason why sushi chefs spend a decade learning how to perfect sushi rice or cut raw fish like a boss, because it does make a difference.

Homemade sushi will never be at the level of what you'd get from the top sushi restaurants in NYC, but here's where homemade sushi rolls win:

You get to gorge yourself on a FEAST for like $20, whereas a similar amount of food at a restaurant would cost a couple hundred. Soooooo worth it, if you ask me.

And you know what else? Sushi is really fun to make at home.

My husband and I first made it several years ago for Valentine's Day as a way to avoid the restaurant craze and spend time together making a special meal, and now it has become a tradition for us every year. And we love it so much we can't limit it to one day a year anymore, and make it on occasion for dinner.

We are fortunate to have access to sushi-grade fish (our favorite is raw salmon), but you can still make sushi at home if you can't find some.

Shrimp tempura rolls are one of our favorites, or you could do a California roll using real or imitation crab, or you could even try a veggie roll. One of our regulars is Philadelphia rolls, with smoked salmon, cream cheese, avocado, and cucumber.

All of these sushi rolls are sometimes referred to as "maki rolls," which is any type of roll where ingredients like raw fish and vegetables are rolled with vinegar-seasoned rice and nori. The sky is the limit when it comes to filling ingredients, and the best part is getting creative with your own rolls.

Or if you want to try something a little different, you can make Korean Kim Bap. It's fairly similar to sushi, but no raw fish.

What seaweed should you use for sushi recipes?

To get started, you need the right kind of seaweed. The one on the left below is thick and perfect for rolling ( this is the one I use). The one on the right is too flimsy. I use that seaweed for snacking. Make sure you get seaweed specific for making sushi, which it should state on the package. It will sometimes say "nori" on the package.

If the seaweed you've bought seems to have one side that's shinier than the other, have the shiny side facing the rolling surface so that it's on the outside of the roll.

Then spread your sheet of nori with a layer of prepared sushi rice (that whole post covers how to make the rice), and flatten the top of the rice gently with a paddle, but do not smash the rice, as my mom would always say. And make sure not to neglect the edges of the nori sheet!

I cover details in-depth in that post, but I recommend a short-grain rice, as well as a white rice, instead of brown. Long-grain rice is usually not sticky rice, and that is an important factor for helping hold the rolls shut. I also season the rice with a sushi vinegar that has a touch of salt and sugar in it. You may also add sesame seeds, if you wish.

Also know that the rice will be easiest to spread when it's slightly warm or at room temperature, so prepare the timing right in advance for when you want to eat.

How much fish you need

For my rolls this time, I got this gorgeous piece of salmon. It was a 1/2lb piece, and gave us enough fish for about 6 rolls, plus some snacking. Even at $28/lb, which seems like a lot, paying $14 for that much fish is certainly worth it, and dirt cheap if you ask me!

How to cut raw fish for sushi:

Here is how I cut salmon for my sushi rolls. First, cut straight down through the filet, then cut that piece in half through the center so you have a small strip. Make sure you're using a sharp knife and gliding with one stroke, to get a nice clean cut.

Place your desired ingredients onto the sushi rice. I've got salmon, avocado, and cream cheese (I know, I know. But Philly-style rolls are my favorite, and making this at home is all about customizing the ingredients to what you enjoy):

Roll it up tightly, using a bamboo mat. It's a specific kitchen item, but you can get a decent one for less than $2 on Amazon or at an Asian market, so I think it's worth having. It ensures the best results for the roll holding together.

If you don't have one, you can sort of use parchment paper or plastic wrap, but you won't be able to wrap it as tightly, so buy one if you plan to make sushi regularly.

Then use your sharpest knife to cut the sushi salmon roll into pieces. I don't find it particularly better to use a serrated knife. Just make sure to use a sharp one!

You may also wish to have a small bowl of cold water or a damp towel at your work station for wiping your fingertips between rolls. Sometimes things can get sticky, so this can really make things easier!

What to serve with your sushi?

Now you're ready to eat the sushi rolls with some soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi paste, as desired!

Next try Honey Walnut Shrimp or Seared Scallops for a special seafood dinner at home. Enjoy!

Recipe tips and FAQ:

Can you keep sushi overnight?

I don't recommend this, as the longer you keep the raw fish, you risk bacteria growth and illness. If I find that we're getting full and we still have ingredients left, we'll usually just enjoy the rest of the fish, thinly sliced sashimi-style, because that's the most valuable part, and let the rest of the ingredients go. Also, refrigerated rice gets hard and dry, and doesn't reheat well, so this is something that should be eaten freshly made.

Can you make sushi without fish?

Yes. There are tons of ideas online, but avocado, cucumbers, and carrots are great filler ingredients.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Or, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!

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How to Make Homemade Sushi Rolls - Fifteen Spatulas

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Homemade Sushi is so much cheaper than at the restaurant. Sushi is easy and fun to make at home, and you can put all your favorite ingredients into your perfect custom roll -- here's how!

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This is my cat Milo. He is very loud and is half Egyptian Mao and half Siamese.

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I really like to bake! My favorite thing to bake are cookies.

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This chocolate chip cookie recipe makes delicious cookies with crisp edges and chewy middles. Try this wildly-popular cookie recipe for yourself!

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Ever since I was little I have always wanted to be a doctor when I was older.

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You may call them simply doctors. But most doctors have extra expertise in one type of medicine or another. In fact, there are several hundred medical specialties and subspecialties. Here are the most common types of doctors you'll likely see.

Cardiologists
They're experts on the heart and blood vessels. You might see them for heart failure, a heart attack, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat.

Colon and Rectal Surgeons
You would see these doctors for problems with your small intestine, colon, and bottom. They can treat colon cancer, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Critical Care Medicine Specialists
They care for people who are critically ill or injured, often heading intensive care units in hospitals. You might see them if your heart or other organs are failing or if you've been in an accident.

Hematologists
These are specialists in diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands, like sickle cell disease, anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia.

Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialists
They work with people who are nearing death. They're experts in pain management. They work with a team of other doctors to keep up your quality of life.

Osteopaths
Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) are fully licensed medical doctors just like MDs. Their training stresses a "whole body" approach. Osteopaths use the latest medical technology but also the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Otolaryngologists
They treat diseases in the ears, nose, throat, sinuses, head, neck, and respiratory system. They also can do reconstructive and plastic surgery on your head and neck.

Pathologists
These lab doctors identify the causes of diseases by examining body tissues and fluids under microscopes.

Pediatricians
They care for children from birth to young adulthood. Some pediatricians specialize in pre-teens and teens, child abuse, or children's developmental issues.

Podiatrists
They care for problems in your ankles and feet. That can include injuries from accidents or sports or from ongoing health conditions like diabetes. Some podiatrists have advanced training in other subspecialties of the foot.

Preventive Medicine Specialists
They focus on keeping you well. They may work in public health or at hospitals. Some focus on treating people with addictions, illnesses from exposure to drugs, chemicals, and poisons, and other areas.

Pulmonologists
You would see these specialists for problems like lung cancer, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, and trouble sleeping caused by breathing issues.

Oncologists
These internists are cancer specialists. They do chemotherapy treatments and often work with radiation oncologists and surgeons to care for someone with cancer.

Endocrinologists
These are experts on hormones and metabolism. They can treat conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, infertility, and calcium and bone disorders.

Emergency Medicine Specialists
These doctors make life-or-death decisions for sick and injured people, usually in an emergency room. Their job is to save lives and to avoid or lower the chances of disability.

Family Physicians
They care for the whole family, including children, adults, and the elderly. They do routine checkups and screening tests, give you flu and immunization shots, and manage diabetes and other ongoing medical conditions.

Gastroenterologists
They're specialists in digestive organs, including the stomach, bowels, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. You might see them for abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, jaundice, or cancers in your digestive organs. They also do a colonoscopy and other tests for colon cancer.

Geriatric Medicine Specialists
These doctors care for the elderly. They can treat people in their homes, doctors' offices, nursing homes, assisted-living centers, and hospitals.

Sleep Medicine Specialists
They find and treat causes behind your poor sleep. They may have sleep labs or give you take-home tests to chart your sleep-wake patterns.

Urologists
These are surgeons who care for men and women for problems in the urinary tract, like a leaky bladder. They also treat male infertility and do prostate exams.

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Different Types of Doctors: Find the Specialist You Need

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What do you call doctors who specialize in different types of diseases or conditions? How can you know you are going to the right specialist for your problem?

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Origami is really fun and relaxing.