California Roll Sushi

• Salmon or Crab Meat
• Avocado (cut into strips)
• Cream Cheese
• Optional: Carrots, Celery, Mozzarella Cheese (cut into strips)
• Nori/ Seaweed Sheets ( 1 large package)
• Sushi Rice
• Masago or Sesame Seeds (for coating outside layer)
• Sushi rolling mat
• 1 knife
• Bowl of water

1. To see how to prepare sushi rice, go to this website: http://www.ehow.com/how_3262_make-chicken-long.html or watch a video here: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-sushi-rice

2. Cover your sushi rolling mat with cling wrap for easy cleaning. Set the rolling mat on an even surface.

3. Lay the Nori/Seaweed on the mat. Lay it on the top edge that is nearest to you.

4. Moisten your hands in the bowl of water. Then spread a thin layer of the sushi rice on top of the Nori. Make sure the rice is covering evenly and pressed down firmly to make sure it is sticking to the nori.

5. Flip the nori over, making sure it is rice side down. Now you are ready to start adding your fillings.

6. Lay the avocado strips horizontally across the center of your nori. Remember to spread the ingredients as evenly as possible for this will make a better roll in the end.Spread some cream cheese next to the avocado in a line. Arrange the crab or salmon on top of the cream cheese. If you are adding carrots, celery and cheese, add them in there too. Sometimes we like to make some with different ingredients and switch it up a bit.

7. Sushi R-R-Roll

8. Time to do the sushi roll. Carefully lift up the side of the mat nearest you and fold it over to make a cylinder/tube shape. Tuck in the edge of your nori with your fingers to make a complete roll.

19. Continue pressing with your fingers and pushing to shape as you roll. Make sure not to push too hard on it but do ensure it is of a good even size.

10. To finish up your roll, place your roll of sushi into a bowl of masago or sesame seeds and keep turning it until it is coated well.

11. Slice it. Note: It is helpful to dip your knife into water to ensure easier/cleaner cutting of the roll. Cut the roll in two, then lay those two sides parallel. Slice it into six pieces.

12. Eat it

13. To present your sushi, place the sushi onto a platter or container on its side, allowing the beautiful colors of the sushi to shine through. Serve it with soy sauce.

14. You can be creative and add or try different fillings based on your personal tastes.