TEMARIZUSHI: EASY SUSHI!

Temari are beautiful vibrant balls of thread, originally a Japanese folk art. Temarizushi - or temari sushi in English - is named as such because this form of sushi resembles temari balls. It's really versatile, pretty, and you can get creative with the patterns you make with the various toppings! If you can get fresh sashimi-grade fish, do use that. Otherwise, you can make do with smoked fish or of course, vegetables if you're vegetarian. No matter what, you can't really go wrong with this. And it's a fresh, healthy, gorgeous meal! Perfect for warm weather, and even as an appetizer at a party.

Do make the proper sushi rice or your temari (or whatever sushi you're making) will taste awful and bland! It doesn't matter if you don't have the perfect texture of the rice and all that - mine seldom does - as long as it's properly seasoned.

Temarizushi: Easy Sushi!

makes: 12 - 16 pieces

- 2 cups prepared sushi rice (use Marc Matsumoto's recipe here)

- 1 cup sliced assorted sashimi grade fish (salmon, tuna, seabass, shrimp, etc.)

- 1 cup sliced vegetables (avocado, lemon, jalapeno, carrots, asparagus, cucumbers, etc.)

- 1/4 cup fish roe (optional)

- 2-3 squares of plastic wrap or wax paper (4 in - 6 in. squares)

Garnishes:

- 1/3 cup (or more, to taste) tamari or regular soy sauce

- 4 - 5 tbsp. fresh grated wasabi (or packaged if you don't have fresh wasabi root)

1. Put the plastic wrap/wax paper on your palm. Starting with the fish or vegetables you want at the top, layer the ingredients and then add two tbsp. rice on top. Gather the edges of the plastic wrap and pull to the center to wrap the whole thing.
2. Twist the loose ends of the plastic wrap around the fish, vegetables, rice, etc. tightly enough to press everything together into an even round ball, but not so tightly that you tear the plastic!
3. Your temari sushi is almost ready! Unwrap and place the round temari sushi on a plate. Repeat with the rest of the rice and ingredients, replacing the plastic wrap as needed. I can usually use one piece of plastic wrap for 4 - 5 temari before it gets too worn to use again.
4. Serve the temari sushi with tamari or regular soy sauce and wasabi. Or, not so Japanese but delicious nevertheless: with a hot sauce, additional sliced jalapenos, thinly sliced lemon, etc.