How to Make Sushi - Preparation

Prepare your fish
 - Purchase sushi grade seafood, not packaged frozen fish
 - Cut the fish into uniform slabs, slicing the top and bottom to remove the skin and scales
 - Slice pieces about 1/4-inch thick
http://www.howcast.com/videos/194-How-To-Prepare-Fish-For-Sushi

Set up your equipment
 - A sharp knife
 - A cutting board
 - Bamboo mat
 - Food items (fish, cucumber, avocado, etc.)
 - Nori (seaweed)

Cook the rice
 - Preferably use Japanese short-grained rice
 - Rinse the rice
 - Pour the rice into a pot to cook in
 - Fill the water to a level slightly higher than the level of rice
 - Let the rice sit in the water for about 30 minutes
 - Turn the heat on to high and cook until the water disappears
 - Add rice seasoning

Types of Sushi - Oshi Sushi

(oshizushi, 押し寿司)

This sushi originates from Osaka and is made using a mold-like wooden block known as oshibako.  The toppings are put on the bottom of the mold and then it is covered in rice.  Then, the cover is brought down to press the ingredients into a tight rectangular shape.

Types of Sushi - Nigiri Sushi

(nigirizushi, 握り寿司)

A sushi made by using one's palms to gently press the rice to create an oval shape.  It is usually wrapped in a thin strip of seaweed.  Then, it is topped with different types of seaweed, such as, tuna, unagi (freshwater eel), or squid.  It can also be topped with vegetables.

Video: How to Make Nigiri Sushi

Types of Sushi - Maki Sushi

(makizushi, 巻寿司) 

Maki Sushi is a sushi roll. In a maki sushi, the rice is usually mixed with sugar or vinegar.  It is usually wrapped on the outside with nori, a type of seaweed, and usually contains ingredients, such as, seafood (ex: salmon, shrimp, octopus, or yellowtail) with fruits or vegetables.

There are 4 styles of maki sushi:

* Futomaki (太巻) - a roll that is usually thick. They are usually 3 to 4 centimeters thick and are usually cut into seven to eight pieces.

* Hosomaki (細巻) - a roll of sushi that has only one type of filling.

* Uramaki (裏巻) - a roll flipped inside out that usually contains two ormore fillings. The seaweed of the roll is on the inside with the rice on the outside.

* Temaki (手巻) - a roll shaped like a cone with seaweed on the outside. They are required to be consumed right after it is made because the seaweed will absorb the moisture from the roll.

Types of Sushi - Inari Sushi

(Inarizushi, 稲荷寿司)

A sushi that is made of aburaage (deep fried tofu bag) and contains rice in the inside.  It is also known as the "stuffed sushi."


Examples: 
Spicy Shrimp Inari, Spicy Avocado Inari.

Types of Sushi - Charashi Sushi/Bara-Sushi

(charashizushi,ちらし寿司/barazushi,ばら寿司)

A sushi that is freshly made in a bamboo style bowl or any bowl and contains seafood, vegetables, and japanese mushrooms with a spread of rice on top.  It is also served in a small bowl called bonburi and is usually made on special holidays and events.