Smoked Salmon Nigiri Sushi

December is a month surrounded by friends, family and a never-ending number of social gatherings. Be it for work, friends or family there always seems to be somewhere to go and someone to see. Be it a formal corporate affair or just a small gathering of those who matter the most to you, there is always plenty to eat and drink. The evening usually begins with a heartfelt hello, an offering of a beverage and a smorgasboard of finger foods from around the world. Sausage rolls, mince tarts, cookies, veggies with dip and for those with a sense of adventure occasionally sushi has been known to make an appearance.

Sushi can be intimidating to both the host and the guest due to the most well known attribute, raw fish. While it has undergone several transformations in its history, the current versions have options that contain no such ingredients. Cucumber, cream cheese, imitation crab, avocado, shredded carrots and smoked salmon are all ingredients that can be utilized without the fear and intimidation of the better known quality of raw fish in sushi. With this trick up your sleeve you can impress your guests with a taste of the east available among the rest of your holiday spread.

There are a number of ways to display sushi, the two most common methods are rolled in nori (also known as seaweed) or in a style called nigiri where the main offering is laid on top of a small hand formed bed of seasoned rice. Where sushi rice can be tricky, prepared properly it forms to and rolls out of the hand with ease. Once formed drape or form the star if your sushi show any way you choose and set out the offering for you guests.

Here is a link to a video on how to prepare sushi rice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEkSoYKhX2o

**With the two-cup portion in this video add 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar and 1 Tbsp. white sugar and mix in as the rice is cooling.

Forming the nigiri:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv4XJs0SNDA&t=79s

Topping the nigiri:

For our take on sushi we simply cut to size and drape a piece of smoked salmon over top of the formed rice. Then form a piece of pickled red onion onto the salmon as shown in the image above. Lastly gently place a small amount of dill and several capers atop your creation and set out to serve.

This specialty is certain to catch the eye of your guests. Beyond the appeal it offers fully safe and flavourful seafood spectacle that offers a blend of sweet, savoury and salty treat all in one bite or two. For those who enjoy a serving from the sea it will be a welcome break from the coconut shrimp or standard shrimp ring with seafood sauce that is so often available this time of year.