COOKING with Accents

Sushi Roll In The Summer

With the heat of summer upon us, we are always looking for fresh, cool meals to prepare that take advantage of the bounty of summer produce in the markets. Today, I want to explore the refreshing elegance of Asian cuisine. Japanese sushi and sashimi provide superior nutrition, excellent flavor and beautiful presentation, while still satisfying the most voracious appetite.

Although often confused, sashimi and sushi are very different in their preparation as well as presentation. Sashimi is typically made with raw ingredients. Sushi can be made with raw ingredients, but the word “sushi” has more direct reference to the way the rice is prepared. The actual translation of “sushi” means “sour-tasting,” which refers to the vinegar added to the rice during the cooling process. On a hot summer day, sushi rolls are a great treat, especially served with a wonderful ahi sashimi poké (pronounced pokey) salad. End the meal with an uplifting green tea ice cream. All served cool and fresh.

The ingredients for these dishes can be found at most Asian markets, and the recipes are simple, fun to make and easily customized. We hope you find our cool Asian delights a beautiful and satisfying change of pace. Who knows, you may tap into an undiscovered talent and become the next great sushi chef.

See recipes on next page