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Ever wonder how they make sushi rolls?<\/p>\n
Fifteen youths at the Dolores Public Library got to learn how Tuesday during a tutorial by Brandon Shubert, owner and chef of Stonefish Sushi and More in Cortez.<\/p>\n
The technique is rooted in Japanese tradition, and must be taken seriously, Shubert told the attentive, fidgety group of kids.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen making sushi tradition is a big deal, and it must be done a certain way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes lots of practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sushi means sweet or seasoned rice, and its origins go back a millennium. As the food evolved, fish and vegetables were added. Vinegar, sugar, and salt are mixed into the rice for flavor and as a preservative.<\/p>\n
Sushi became popular in American in the 1960s, especially the California Roll, a combination of cucumber, imitation crab meat (white fish) and avocado. The roll was actually invented in Vancouver, Shubert said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe they should call it the Canada roll,\u201d quipped one child. \u201cWhy does seaweed smell bad, but taste so good,\u201d observed another.<\/p>\n
Preparation stations need to be orderly, Shubert continued. Ingredients are arranged on a bamboo maki mat that is used in the traditional inside-out roll technique.<\/p>\n
Sticky rice is carefully spread on a flattened rectangle of seaweed. \u201cDon\u2019t squish the rice,\u201d Shubert warned, then the form is flipped over.<\/p>\n
Ingredients are added, and then the tricky roll-up using the bamboo mat. The classic sushi roll emerges with an outer coating of rice, and layers of goodness underneath.<\/p>\n
Little fingers fumbled with the roll, and Shubert patiently helped each student get it right. Before long, each kid was marveling at their own California roll.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not as easy as I thought it would be,\u201d said Gabe Speece. \u201cI plan to make it on my own now.\u201d<\/p>\n
They were shown proper knife handling. They carefully cut the rolls into pieces, added pickled ginger and wasabi, then had lunch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was fun. I like how he showed each step,\u201d said Cody Farias. \u201cI always wanted to try making sushi, and will definitely do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program is part of a series for local youths to learn about other cultures through food, said Shaine Gans, youth services coordinator for the Dolores Public Library.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done food for Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New Year, chocolate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids love it, and it exposes them to different types of foods and the countries they come from.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about kids\u2019 events at the Dolores Public Library, visit the kids\u2019 events<\/a> section on the library website. Stonefish Sushi and More is located at 16 W. Main St.<\/p>\n