Preparing the Rolling Mat
<span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/550w_18640000_75___c1.staticflickr.com/1/116/281988784_d37be87ddb_o.jpg" alt="A bamboo sushi mat on a blue cutting board" /> </span> <p>The sushi rolling mat is a small mat made of bamboo which is used to roll and squeeze maki sushi into tight rolls. Preparing it will help keep the mat clean, so you don't have to try to clean all of the rice off of it (which believe me, is quite a pain!)</p>
Sumeshi
<span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/550w_18640000_75___c1.staticflickr.com/1/99/282038631_a41540337c_o.jpg" alt="Sushi rice in a wooden hangiri (a large, flat, round container)" /> </span> <p>Sumeshi, also known as sushi-meshi, is the Japanese term for the sushi rice. Sumeshi is used in sushi, giving it a light but distinct flavor. </p>
What is Sushi?
<span class="bigPic"> <img src="http://img.fridgg.com/550w_18640000_75___c2.staticflickr.com/4/3940/15452210929_b1bc5ed380_b.jpg" alt="Salmon and avocado maki rolls on a black plate" /> </span> <p><strong><em>Sushi - cold boiled rice moistened with rice vinegar, usually shaped into bite-size pieces and topped with raw seafood (nigiri-zushi) or formed into a long seaweed-wrapped roll, often around strips of vegetable or raw fish, and sliced into bite-size pieces (maki-zushi). (Dictionary.com)</em></strong> <p>When people think of the Japanese culture, sushi often automatically comes to mind, and for good reason. Sushi