Sushi – Simple hand rolls to the California Roll

I began making sushi in college with her roommates Katie and Sherrie. Alton Brown from Good Eats has a video on how to make the rice. In grad school, this evolved to wonderful sushi parties then into a great appetizer for dinner parties at the Lucas household. Fillings can be as simple as cucumber or salmon, but it’s up to your imagination. A favorite is mango salmon and cucumber – the sweet, savory, and crunch play off each other well. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, pickled ginger, and or spicy mayo.
 
Ingredients
For rice:
2 cups sushi or short grain rice
2 cups water, plus extra for rinsing rice
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
 
Filling:
Cut favorite ingredients so they are as long and square as possible, like a long matchstick.
 
Directions
Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover with cool water. Swirl the rice in the water, pour off and repeat 2 to 3 times or until the water is clear.
Place the rice and 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
Combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds. Transfer the rice into a large wooden or glass mixing bowl and add the vinegar mixture. Fold thoroughly to combine and coat each grain of rice with the mixture. Allow to cool to room temperature before using to make sushi or sashimi.
 
California Roll filling:
1 avocado
3/4 cup imitation crab
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into matchstick-size