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Sushi Healthy Eating: Have the Japanese Got it Right?
So why do the Japanese live so much longer and healthier than most of the rest
of us? Some claim it is their diet and when you think about it
Sushi does tick
all the nutritional boxes.
It should surprise no one to hear that Sushi is becoming one of the fastest
growing foods in the US today. Once the initial reaction to eating raw fish is
over come it's incredible taste and flavor win over otherwise skeptical
dinners. Few can say that the unique combination of rice and fish does not bring
a new dimension to the food table.
The taste of
Wasabi or
Wasabi paste as many know it has may be more than just a
basic accompaniment to the sushi. It is said that the wasabi kills the bacteria
in fish even if the fish is not exceptionally fresh.
If you enjoy good food and have reasonably deep pockets sushi is a great choice.
It is costly for a couple of reasons one the quality of fish required goes
beyond what you might buy for other dishes and also the attention to detail goes
beyond what would be required for most meals. The skill being in the knife work
of preparing the sushi.
You could of course prepare your own sushi ... You'll need a good amount of time
as the process cannot be rushed and a high level of confidence with sharp
knives. Maybe it is this combination of labor and skill that means most dinners
either choose to buy ready prepared sushi or dine out at one of the number of
eating places serving such food.
Get this, the trick is not in the fish, it's in the art of cutting it. Although
fresh fish is absolutely required to start with, there is only way to do it the
sushi way. Experiment with doing it your way and see what happens to the fish.
The fish slices will look soggy and grainy--it seems the fish has been abused.
There are no shortcuts on the rice either, It must be authentic Japanese sushi
rice .. Uncle Bens simply won't cut it. Another point to remember don't confuse
sushi with another Japanese favorite sashimi . The main difference being the
serving of rice. If you order sashimi and want rice make sure you order a bowl
as it is not part of the dish.
Sushi types are many, but all include rice. The nigiri or hand-made sushi is the
typical sushi and is ordered and served in pairs. Another type includes sushi
rolls, or maki, which are made with sheets of seaweed (nori) and served as six
slices. There is also pressed sushi or oshi, which is cut into small squares.
And finally, there is stuffed bean curd rolls, or inarizushi.
There are more special sushi styles Saikuzushi or festival sushi is almost an
art form than cooking. The sushi rice is dyed different colors then sectioned
and then rolled. When sliced images are created (amazing stuff). Chirashizushi
or scattered sushi consists of rice spread in a box or bowl with nine different
types of fish scattered on top. On some occasions Chankinzushi is prepared this
is a sushi rice omelet wrapper which is shaped and tied like a ladies draw
string purse (similar to Chinese dim sum). Some times a solitary shrimp or pea
decorates the ruffled part of the wrapper.
Makezushi consist of sushi rice combined with vegetables, and seafood that has
been molded into special bowls of square tins and covered with pieces of sliced
omelet, shrimp and vegetables. Another variation on this theme is Fukusazushi
where where the molded rice is wrapped in a sheet of omelet and then turned over
to hide the joins and garnished with a ribbon of seaweed (nori) and ginger.
Lastly we have Temarizushi which are rice balls wrapped in thinly sliced
marinated fish. Itadakimasu! (enjoy your meal).
About the Author:
Before you start any diet or weight loss plan online, make sure you check Graham Fosters' excellent free report on how he lost 22.5lbs in weight in only 5 short weeks without any diet pills, fad diets or exercising like a Navy Seal!