Sushi Soiree

Fashion trends:  know 'em, love 'em, make 'em your own.  Dining out trends: I'm sorry, do you mean to tell me there's a trendy way to eat out!?  If you haven't noticed, sushi restaurants & bars seem to be more abundant than dimples on a golf ball.  While I'm tickled to death by this fact, some of you may be hesitant in celebrating the greatness of this cuisine.  I realize I can't promise that your dinner party is going to wonder if you were born in Japan by the exquisite use of your chopsticks, but I may be able to enlighten you on a few other things.

First of all, let's squash the rumor that sushi means raw fish.  Hold on because I'm about to get technical.  The term sushi actually refers to the rice.  I know that sentence just posted quite the shock value!  Sashimi is the term for fish.  However, raw or cooked fish can be added to the rice.  They even have vegetable rolls available which in no way, shape, or form contain any raw fish.

Like people, sushi comes in various shapes & sizes...

                                    

• Pictured on your far left is nigiri.  This consists of small rice balls with some type of fish on top.  Your most common toppers are going to be eel, octopus, shrimp, or tuna.  The type of fish you have on top will change the calorie content. An average piece of nigiri will be around 50 calories.    
• The middle picture is probably the most common way of ordering sushi. This is called norimaki.  It will typically contain sushi rice, seafood of some kind, and nori (fancy word for seaweed).  The above picture contains seaweed on the outside.  If you would rather eat your algae with more discretion, you should probably order uramaki (you're seaweed will be on the inside).  The most popular uramaki are California & rainbow rolls.  Please note that we tend to add other ingredients to this type of roll (i.e. cream cheese, mango, fried crunchy goodness, carrots, mayo, etc).   
• Feeling risqué?  Order up some sashimi.  This is the least modest version of "sushi" as it is served naked - meaning, you get sliced raw fish.  Sashimi is usually served in 3 oz. portions.

A majority of people tend to think sushi automatically means low calorie since we see a small roll with fish being set before us.  To make sure we are getting the 800+ calories we feel entitled to upon eating out, we tend to order 3+ rolls with no hesitation.  Yes, sushi can be a low calorie meal, but you need to utilize your detective skills when looking at the menu.  

     LeaRning the Lingo -> Before throwing your inhibitions to the wind, make sure you scan the menu for the following words:

     - tempura * This just means battered & deep fried. Tempura can send your calorie intake into the 500+ calorie zone!

     -  crunchy * Basically means small pieces of tempura have made it inside &/or on top of your roll. 

     -  mayo/spicy mayo *  I will just remind you that mayo doesn't have a bad reputation for no reason.  Unnecessary calories will be added.

     Be savvy when it comes to sushi.  Start your meal off with edamame, hot soup, or salad (go ahead, be daring, order your dressing on the side!).  Use ginger, low sodium soy sauce, or wasabi to add some pizazz to your rolls. Wasabi is the green looking paste that can set your mouth on fire.  Before going all Evil Knievel on everyone & downing half of it in one bite, make sure your table is stashed with ample amounts of liquid.  Stealing the drinks of neighboring booths is normally frowned upon.  Don't say I didn't warn you!!

Your sushi experience would not be complete without chopsticks.  Please keep in mind that you probably won't look as cute as she does. 

For those of you who continue to have a seafood complex, have no fear as most sushi restaurants serve the traditional beef, chicken, shrimp, & teriyaki dishes you have grown to love.