If you are serious about your sushi-making efforts, investing in good-quality tools and accessories is essential. The right equipment makes preparing delectable morsels much easier, while the perfect accessories allow you to serve it all with style.
Take a look at the utensils and other items that can make a massive difference in your kitchen at home.
A Set of Knives
Most Japanese chefs agree that the singular most important tool for anyone who wants to make first-class sushi is a top-quality knife or set of knives. You can get away with buying cheaper versions of other tools, but a cheap knife is a no-no. If possible, try to buy knives that have been made specially for sushi, because they make precision cutting so much easier.
A Knife Sharperner
Whether you choose a traditional whetstone or a modern sharpener, it will never be far away when it is time to make sushi. The blades of even the most expensive knives will dull; something that could make your sashimi look like a prop from a slasher movie. A good sharpener is lightweight, easy to use, and will keep your blades in tip-top condition.
A Rice Cooker
Tokyo-based chef Naomichi Yasuda said that the rice is the most important sushi ingredient. Achieving the right consistency is essential. The rice needs to be sticky, but the grains still need to hold their shape. The best way to do it is to use a rice cooker, known in Japanese as a ‘suihanki’. All you do is plug it in, add rice and water, and press a button or two. It will cook according to a timer, which gives you a chance to enjoy a few moments of online betting NZ.
A Makisu
A ‘makisu’ is the familiar bamboo mat used to make maki, California, dragon, and other rolls. They are sustainable and affordable, and using them does not require hours of practice. However, keeping them clean and dry is essential. Covering yours with a layer of plastic wrap before each use can help you do that.
Wasabi Grater
Wasabi is easy enough to grow from seed in the garden, and you sometimes can find it fresh at Asian grocers. If you manage to get fresh wasabi rhizomes, you will need to grate them into a paste that retains flavour and colour. In Japan, this is done traditionally using a grater made from shark skin. However, you can find expertly crafted ceramic graters that simulate the abrasive surface of shark skin, and that will not wreck the rhizomes the way a metal grater would.
Other Sushi Accessories
Other must-have accessories include stands and lunch boxes. Sushi roll holders are stands with holes large enough to accommodate home-made rolls, and to keep them upright. They are practical and they add visual interest to the table. If you want to take your home-made sushi to a friend’s house or to the office, the perfect way to do it is a bento-style lunch box. Modern versions offer enough space, several compartments, leak-proof lids, and even cutlery sets.