Being the thrifty, creative girl l am I decided sushi was a bit too pricey for the frequency I wanted to consume those yummy roles and learned to make it myself. It was super fun and easy with some practice. Because there's so many visual steps, I made my first DIY YouTube video. Although some grocery stores and Asian markets do sell sushi-grade fish, I stay away from making raw sushi at home as I'm a bit nervous about the dangers associated! Below is the video, recipes for the SUSHI RICE & SPICY MAYO and some tips on making the rolls.

Enjoy impressing your friends and family with this homemade sushi :)

SUSHI RICE (MAKES ABOUT 5 ROLLS)

1 1/2 C SUSHI (NASHIMI) RICE [Most grocery stores carry this]
2 1/4 C WATER
2 TB RICE VINEGAR
2 TB WHITE SUGAR
1 TB SALT

Rinse rice thoroughly to remove starch. Bring rice to boil, reduce to low and simmer 15-20 minutes. Don't scrap the bottom rice if it burns onto pan - just use the good, unstuck stuff!

Mix together vinegar, sugar, salt in bowl and microwave 45 seconds. Wisk until dissolved, then stir mixture into cooked rice. Allow rice to cool before rolling. (I always make rice the same day I roll the sushi)

SPICY MAYO

1 C. MAYONAISE
1 TB. SIRACHI (or more - to taste)

Wisk together. You can make this ahead of time, it keeps well. I put this in a freezer bag and cut the tip of bag off with a knife so I can pipe/drizzle it on finished sushi for decoration and some extra spice!

PROTEIN TO PUT IN SUSHI ROLL

COOKED SHRIMP
IMITATION CRAB
COOKED SALMON (CANNED OR FRESH WORKS)
SPICY MAYO
CREAM CHEESE
(I am scared of serving the raw fish, so I stick to cooked proteins...although you can purchase sushi-grade fish at some markets)

VEGGIE'S TO PUT IN SUSHI ROLL

SHREDDED CARROTS
MATCHSTICK CUT CUCUMBERS
SLIVERED AVACADO
THING SLICED MANGO
GREEN ONIONS
ASPARAGUS
SPINACH OR LETTUCE

SUSHI TOPPING IDEAS

THINLY (1/8") SLICED AVACADO
THINLY (1/8") SLICED MANGO
SHRIMP CUT IN HALF
SHREDDED CRAB
SESAME SEEDS
DRIZZLED SPICY MAYO, SIRACHI, EEL SAUCE
PICKLED GINGER
WASABI
DECORATIVE VEGGIES COMING OUT OF ONE PIECE OF SUSHI