Is porridge suitable for sushi?

Sushi chef & sake sommerlier Zoë Escher

There are many different types of rice, and pudding rice is just one of them.
A question I am frequently asked is whether pudding rice can be used for sushi. My immediate answer is no even though pudding rice also falls into the category of short-grain rice.

That said, I should mention that I have not personally tried making sushi with pudding rice. However, I have made rice pudding many times, and the texture of cooked pudding rice is noticeably different from that of properly cooked sushi rice.

While it might not be something most people think about, the texture of the rice has a significant impact on the overall taste experience. If the sushi rice does not have the right consistency, it can affect the entire dish. Sushi rice plays a key role in the quality of sushi. It should be tender yet firm, never undercooked in the center, and certainly not overcooked. Achieving this requires a specific type of short-grain rice that is cultivated especially for sushi.

In our beginner sushi course, you will learn which types of rice are best suited for sushi and how to cook them properly to achieve sushi rice of the highest quality.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Sushi Course for Beginners – Learn Sushi Like Japanese Sushi Chefs in Tokyo

sushi

Do you want to learn how to make sushi using the same techniques mastered by sushi chefs in Tokyo?
Then this course is for you!

At Denmark’s only sushi course taught by a Japanese-trained sushi chef, you will be taught by Zoë Escher, who was trained by a Japanese sushi master from Tokyo. She brings the authentic Japanese sushi tradition directly to your kitchen in Copenhagen.

You won’t just learn how to roll sushi, you’ll learn to understand the ingredients, techniques, and philosophy behind sushi, exactly as sushi chefs in Tokyo do.

On the course, you will learn, among other things:

  • How to prepare sushi rice so it has the perfect consistency and flavor.
  • How to use Japanese ingredients that give sushi its authentic aroma.
  • How to choose fish and shellfish using the same criteria sushi experts look for.
  • The most important cutting techniques and ingredient preparations.
  • How to make three classic types of rolls:
    • Hosomaki (small rolls)
    • Uramaki (inside-out rolls)
    • Futomaki (large rolls)

… and much more.

The course takes place in Copenhagen, where you’ll enjoy a cozy and educational afternoon – and of course, plenty of sushi to enjoy afterwards.

Please read more about the cooking class  Sushi for beginners
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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

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Which fish is the healthiest to eat?

Sushi chef & sake sommelier Zoë Escher
Salmon is the healthiest fish. There are several reasons for this.
It is a fish that is described as fatty fish in the healthy way. It has a high content of omega 3, which belongs to the healthy fatty acids that are vital for the body.
Salmon also has a high content of protein 200 grams of salmon contains 44 grams of protein. Salmon is a booster for your health.

The Japanese population eats as much seafood as Europeans eat meat. In Japan, the variety of different types of fish is large, so most Japanese follow the season for fish.
During the year, the Japanese eat fish with a high content of omega 3 and at other times, they eat fish and shellfish which are not fatty, but instead contain other types of vitamins and minerals.

As a side dish, the Japanese eat many vegetables and cabbage prepared in different ways.

On the Sushi course for beginners, you learn step by step how to make tasty sushi with the most popular fish.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Do Japanese sushi restaurants use topping on the food?

Sushi chef & sake sommelier Zoë Escher
In Denmark, most sushi restaurants use topping on the food. It is typically sushi rolls such as insite-out which are topped with various ingredients such as roe, seaweed salad, chili mayonnaise, pickled onions and crushed wasabi peas. Sushi rolls are often topped in many different ways.

In Japan, topping is not used in the same way as in Denmark.
The Japanese are very fond of fish of very high quality. They eat as much fish as we eat meat.
So that’s why Japanese customers and Japanese sushi chefs have a slightly different approach to sushi. The sushi pieces should preferably be as simple as possible, ie. with rice and fish are in the center so they are allowed to shine.

Sushi topping is used in Japan. It can be lemon, an herb or a specific type of salt, which is used to highlight fish unique flavors and aromas.

At the Sushi course for beginners, you will learn how to make tasty sushi like Japanese sushi chefs in Tokyo.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Can all types of seafood be used for sushi?

For that I have to say both Yes and No.

It depends a lot on how it is used in sushi.
You have to think that seafood has a completely different texture than fish. Most fish fillets are quite firm in the meat.

If you look entirely at seafood they remind you most about a bag of mixed candy. Seafood comes in many different sizes, tastes and texture. It is the raw material that is the hardest to use for sushi.

Some seafood used in sushi restaurants outside Europe are very difficult to prepare for sushi, it requires you as a sushi chef to use many different Japanese cooking techniques.

The consistency of seafood is also very different. Some shellfish have a very hard surface while others are very soft. In order for this type of raw material to become a gastronomic experience, you need to know which Japanese cooking techniques are best suited to it.

At the Sushi course for beginners the attendance learns to prepare the most sought after raw materials for sushi.

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

How fresh can seafood be?


Seafood can be so fresh that it is still at body temperature when eaten.

Japan is a country surrounded by sea. Fresh fish and rice have been the most important raw materials in Japanese cuisine for centuries.

Japanese food culture is still based on raw materials being as fresh as possible. There are several reasons for this.

The Japanese population has grown up with shellfish being no more than a day old before it is cooked into tasty dishes. This applies to both fish bought from a fishmonger or in a supermarket.

Japanese cuisine has several iconic dishes where fish and shellfish are eaten raw, such as sushi.

The Japanese have the opportunity to buy raw materials that are either caught or harvested the same day.

The Japanese are very focused on eating healthy and fresh ingredients of the highest quality. It gives joy in life, but also healthy health. It is no coincidence that the Japanese are the population in the world that live the longest.

On the Sushi Course for Beginners, you learn to make tasty sushi step by step with a focus on how to get the most value without compromising on quality.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Is there a big difference in rice for sushi?

There is a big difference in sushi rice.

There are many countries that grow sushi rice. Japan, the United States, China and Korea grow large quantities of sushi rice every single year.

Within each country there are many different types of sushi rice. It can be compared to if you buy a bottle of white wine from France. In France, there is not just one who produces white wines. No, there are many different types of grape and wineries that produce white wines.

Like grapes for white wines, there are also types of sushi rice that are complex, ie. very difficult to cook and that has an impact on sushi restaurants, but also for you at home who want to make cook quality sushi rice.

In the Sushi course for beginners, you learn step by step how to cook sushi rice, so that the rice you cook at home is of a quality that is suitable for sushi.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

How is sushi stored in the summer heat?

Nigiri
Sushi is a fantastic dish that is enjoyed all year round.
Especially the bright summer evenings offer cold white wine/bubbles with delicious food. Sushi is very pleasant to eat in the summer heat. The body is not warmed by eating sushi as sushi is eaten at room temperature.

In the summer heat, it is important to store sushi in the “right” way, as the fish is eaten raw.
When you buy sushi as a take-away, it is a good idea to transport the food in a cooler bag that will extend the shelf life of the food. As soon as you get home you should put sushi in the fridge.

Sushi should be stored in the refrigerator until dinner time. Approx. 15-20 minutes before dinner time, sushi is taken out of the fridge and placed on the kitchen table without the lid.
During the 15-20 minutes, the temperature will slowly until each sushi piece have reached room temperature. Then they are ready to be eaten. Sushi should always be eaten at sushi room temperature, so you get the full taste experience of the individual pieces.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

What is the benefit of eating sushi rolls?

Sushi roll futomaki with prawns, web: http://chefzoeescher.com
One of the biggest advantages of sushi rolls is the unique taste experience they offer.
Each sushi roll is like a small work of art with a harmonious combination of taste and texture.
From the fresh fish to the carefully prepared rice and crisp vegetables, every bite gives you an exciting experience.

Sushi rolls are not only a delicious meal, but they can also be a healthy part of your diet. Fish used in sushi rolls such as salmon and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the body.

Another advantage of sushi rolls is the endless variety and possibility of customization. From classic rolls such as California Roll and Sushi roll with salmon to more experimental combinations, sushi rolls can be adapted to suit every taste.

Whether you are vegetarian, vegan or have specific dietary requirements, there is always a sushi roll that suits you.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Which countries produce sushi rice?

There are several countries in the world that produce sushi rice. Japan of course and China, Korea and the United States do also produce sushi rice.

There is quite a big difference between the sushi rice produced in the different countries. The rice grain itself can vary in size and, of course, it has an influence on cooking the rice.

However, I have most experience with using sushi rice which is either produced in Japan or also in the USA. Since these types of sushi rice varieties I learned to cook to perfection when I was trained for Japanese sushi chef.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.