[Tia Maria]

My son has tentatively requested sushi for his packed lunch. As he's normally as fussy as anything, I figured I better get it right!

So is there an easy way to make sushi?

Any types that are good for kids taste buds? (he quite likes the idea of smoked salmon)

Will they stay fresh in a packed lunch, or would it be better to wait for the weather to cool a bit?

Can you make them in advance, if so how far in advance and how do you store them?

Cheers

Tia

[KerryS]

I think the main concern with having sushi in a packed lunch would be the storage. Rice is a big cause of food poisoning if not kept in the correct conditions, so I'd be wary of that aspect. If you have a cool pack or whatever to keep in the box, it should be ok.

I make nori rolls, and these are very simple. Just a sheet of nori, rice and then whatever else you fancy as a filling - I use salmon, tuna and some vegetable, quite often red pepper, cucumber or avocado. I spice mine up, but if he's fussy he'll probably appreciate them more just plain.
Have you got a sushi mat? I find that great for making my rolls nice and even.

Good instructions are here:
http://www.sushi-guide.co.uk/

and I can recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sushi-Taste-Technique-Kimiko-Barber/dp/0751336998/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203992666&sr=1-5

[Jules]

Hi Tia

Try this website.

http://www.hub-uk.com/cooking/tipssushi.htm

Good luck!!

Jules

[Familyofmonkeys]

I spice mine up, but if he's fussy he'll probably appreciate them more just plain.


What do you use to spice them up?
I have been considering having a go at vegetarian sushi rolls for kids to try, but all the recipes I looked at seemed quite bland...they like things with stronger flavours.

[phatsharpie]

A very important tip in making sushi rice is that you have to cool the rice quickly when adding the sushi vinegar - you need to fan it vigorously. I actually mix the vinegar with the rice in front of an electric fan.

Also, another important tip is to keep your hands wet when handling the rice - such as when putting the rice into the sea weed sheets. Otherwise it's going to stick to you and make a mess of everything.

-B

[ellenmelon]

i dont eat fish, so i always just have avocado,bell pepper and cucumber as thats really the only vegie option available. i wonder would salmon and and avocado taste ok together?

[dilanium]

salmon and avocado are a match made in heave IMHO.

[CJ22]

What's wrong with a potted-meat sandwich, a satsuma and a penguin??

Tsk, kids today!

:exit

[phatsharpie]

Salmon + avocado + cream cheese is called the Philadelphia roll in the U.S., and it's delicious!

Here is an interesting page with instructions on making California rolls and some interesting roll ingredient combinations:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers/CaliforniaRoll.htm

-B

[Moorf]

What do you use to spice them up?

Wasabi!

God I love that stuff... always have to buy an extra pot to lather on !!!

My fav sushi flavour is probably teriyaki chicken mayo or tuna and spring onion...

[Chiba]

You could give Onigiri (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onigiri) a try - they're easy to make.

By the way, no Japanese kid would take sushi for their lunch. The stuff in their obento-bako may look round, fishy and ricey, but it isn't "sushi" as such.

[Tia Maria]

Thanks everyone I'll look at the links.

His desire for Sushi has come from the fact that, although the school don't offer school dinners, they do provide sushi once a week, for those that order it. And some of his friends have started ordering it.

He likes the idea but is nervy of new foods so I thought if I made some at home with him he could find a type he likes and I could save a bit of money in the meantime.

Although if he does like it I'm sure I would start ordering through the school just so I can have one day when I don't have to think of another pack lunch!

It was all about the Kit Kats in my day.

Cheers

Tia

[phatsharpie]

Here is a recipe for teriyaki chicken roll from TVNZ:
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411307/790305

It's a relatively un-exotic so should be a good introduction to sushi in general. :-)

-B

[Familyofmonkeys]

Wasabi!

God I love that stuff... always have to buy an extra pot to lather on !!!



Got some in the cupboard (for adding to chocolate cake).....must try making veggie sushi soon then :)