DIY sushi

It seems like the biggest thing to take over the food industry (other than organic eating that is) in the last 5-10years in Sushi!!! Love it or Hate it, its everywhere and its popularity is growing.

Personally I am a huge fan... I get my fix at least twice a month. New sushi places are popping up everywhere with all kinds of specials. "All you can eat"; ""half price between 5pm and 10pm" and so on. At first, I will admit, I was very cautious about what I ate and was not a fan of the wasabi but now I am a all you can eat kind of girl. I love salmon, tuna, prawn, crab, eel. I have even had squid and octopus sushi during my time overseas. My friends are divided on the idea of it. Some love it (look for places online to get the next deal of the little money they have) and others hate it (they haven't actually tried it but the idea of raw fish makes them want to gag)

 I have Mikhail to thank for introducing me to sushi. Before I met him I wasn't even remotely interested in sushi but I am a little gaga over it. The two of use are able to consume an incredible amount of the fishy goodness (because we only really enjoy the salmon items) Salmon sashimi is his favourite (with a little mayo to dip) I love California rolls (or inside out rolls). Our latest favourite couples activity is making our own sushi. We tried it for the first time in Korea (Mikhail brought a kit) we had a lot of fun. Since then we have bought some new items and started again. With some instructional videos and little love we seem to have gotten the hang of it. Here is a picture of our latest set.

California, Roses, Hand rolls

Mikhail rolls (bottom right corner) so good!

Our presentation has gotten better over time and will improve more. As you can see, we love salmon. We bought a 300g fillet and finished it on one go. Mikhail made these inside out rolls with salmon, cream cheese and strawberry. They are amazing!!! If you have never tried it and want to please do and let me know what you think of the combination. We had some wine with our sushi and rolled to bed, satisfied, proud and with very full bellies. 

If you want to try making your own sushi, whether by yourself or with your partner (great couples activity by the way) here's what you will need to get started. Take note the first time might be a little pricey but once you get going it will just be a matter of getting the ingredients you want.

Utensils:

1 Very sharp chef's knife

Bamboo rolling mat (however many you need)

Plastic sandwich wrap (to put over the mats)

Chopsticks

Serving plates

Ingredients:

Pickled ginger 

Soy Sauce

Wasabi

Sushi rice (short grain)

Avocado

Cucumber

Dried Nori (Seaweed)

Sesame seeds

Your choice of salmon, tuna, prawn, crab stick or veggies

I would suggest going on to youtube.com to get your instructional videos. You will have such a good time but don't be too disappointed; the first time it's a little tough but you'll get the hang of it. Try your hand at it and comment to let me know how it all goes. 

xoxo

Nats

The Rant

I hope you all enjoyed and participated in the 30 day photo challenge. I have to say I had a great time taking the pictures (even though sometimes, I have to admit, I had a tough time to find what it was I was meant to photograph for the day) And now that its done, let me get back to complaining about my life (I have a lot to be thankful for, don't get me wrong... I promise to blog about that too, but for now...)

I have been back in the country for 4months now and still haven't found work. I have been on 3 interviews of which (obviously) none were successful. All the work in this country seems to be up country. I should move there but I am not ready to move again. Move away from the good things I do have in my life.

On the plus side I have another interview tomorrow, hopefully I will be a little more successful this time around. Granted there are things about the job I am interviewing for that I am not 100% happy about. For example, they canceled my first interview because they filled the position but then emailed me today to say that the 'successful' candidate was not up to their standard (not cool), and there are shifts that I have to work (so not a traditional 9-5 as I was hoping for)

But it's a job nonetheless. And if I was their next successful candidate, I would work very hard and be grateful for the opportunity. I'm over being at home (to be fair I was over it ages ago) I mean I love doing what I want, all day long (I should be looking for more jobs, and I do) but seriously, I'm over it. I really hope this time it works out... in serious need of a break.

Rant over.

xoxo

Day 30 - Desire

So this is a strange one, but recently I have desired to be more fit and this is my new tool to help me do just that. Thank you Mikhail!!! 

watch this space

Day 29 - Colour

Another one of the more recent things I bought for myself. I love these, for their shape, height, fit and of course... their COLOUR!!! 

Cute, comfy and COLOURFUL!

Day 28 - Empty, Clean apartment

Well, today I am stumped for a picture since I don't live in an apartment anymore... But here is the only picture I have from when I did have an apartment of my own and was picking up to move back to South Africa... Now, I know its not of an apartment but it was the result of packing and cleaning up...

This was so expensive to ship home

Day 27 - Calm

A calming view on a rough day... Perfect for today's word.

Day 26 - Last thing I bought

Well here is a funny story... So I went to my favourite cosmetics store. Clicks sometimes has random beauty products on sale and the day I went they had some nail polish... I chose this one because I love the colour without looking at the price. When I got to the till it scanned as R00.01 and so I argued until they gave it to me at that price... So even though I paid nothing for it, it is in fact the last thing I bought...

bad shot

Day 25 - On the road

Something old but great! A fun, spontaneous road trip to Langebaan airforce base to drop off my love. Good times with Mikhail, Nadia and aunty Trish!!! 

West Coast Rd

Day 24 - Sunrise/Sunset

I am very far behind in uploading the last few picture, for this, I apologise. Here is a sunset from a rainy day in Cape Town. The next day was even more rainy...

Rainy sunset

Day 23 - heart!

This is my cousin, Nina's son, Owen. He is 5years old and the cutest. Here he is trying he's hardest to make the heart <3 hand sign... having a little trouble but still so damn cute!

Owie ka-powie <3

Day 22 - A stranger

Late and behind again I know... Sigh this is tougher than I thought it would be. Forgive me I beg you. Here are some pictures I have managed to get to catch up a little... Bear with me everyone. These guys filled up my car... 

Friendly attendants