Photo: Homemade spicy tuna roll Frank and I made after the class

During the class, which lasts nearly three hours, we learned how to make sushi rice, California rolls (hello, inside out!), spicy tuna hand rolls, eel rolls, cucumber rolls and tuna rolls. (Note that the menu may vary in different cities or with different teachers.) Everything was hands-on; this was not a lecture class. Every student receives a copy of recipes and tips prepared by the individual teacher of the class, and I recommend bringing a pen to add notes in the margins of the paper; one of the most valuable parts of the class was having the teacher walk us through where and what (or what not) to buy to equip our homes for sushi preparations. Our teacher and his assistants were extremely patient, there was more than enough supplies to go around in case we made mistakes, and we left with many tips and tricks to aid our future sushi-making Foodventures!

It wasn’t the first time the two of us attended a class at Sur La Table. In fact, two years ago, Frank also enrolled the two of us for a class in honor of my birthday. We had a wonderful time then, but for some reason, never made it a priority to make the things we learned about in class (well, besides pita chips). I recognize that it’s not too late to do so, but by contrast, we were making sushi two days after we took the class. We could not wait to try this out for ourselves! The difference, I think, this time was that we learned more than just a different recipe; we learned a completely different style of preparation, an art really.

No, taking this class doesn’t mean that I’ll never go out for sushi again; in fact, quite the opposite is true. Understanding how much work goes into making sushi makes me appreciate it more when dining out. There’s no denying that it takes a lot of time, so know that learning how to make it probably won’t be a substitute for going out to order it. But why should it be? Since taking the class, Frank and I have gone to a couple sushi places. Before being seated at each establishment, I’ve said authoritatively to the hostess, “Can we sit at the sushi bar?” We’re hoping to get to know a local sushi chef well enough that we can ask him to surprise us–and that he’ll share a few tips along the way.

Making sushi is great fun in part because it is so different from any other kind of cooking. It’s no secret that Frank is the better cook in this duo, but with sushi, I held my own better than I ever had before. I was surprised at how simple it was, once I got the hang of it! Maybe you too don’t think of yourself as a great cook–but that shouldn’t stop you from giving this a shot. If you can’t make it to a class (and you should), then watch Alton Brown’s sushi episode a few times. It’s not the same as trying it out in the presence of someone who can guide you, of course, but Mr. Brown features some of the same insider tips that our teacher shared with us. You can find the episode in full on YouTube: part one and part two.

If you’re looking for a quick and convenient dinner, homemade sushi isn’t for you. But if you want to spend some quality time with a friend or family member, if you like a challenge and thinking outside the box–in short, if you’re looking for a Foodventure, learn how to make your own sushi. You might surprise yourself!

Related posts:

1. The Sushi Birds Leave the Nest