Stress

Bryan is in Michigan, and Lindz is in California. Oliver is staying with me, so the stress level around the house is pretty high.

Blauhaus Sushi Station

I asked my brother over for dinner this week, and what does that unpredictable scamp do? He brings over the makings for California Rolls. We made most of them inside-out, unlike the ones pictured here. They were so freegin' good. He brought good crabmeat from Trader Joe's, and that made the difference. I had no sesame seeds on hand, but we made good California Rolls. Bryan is far more practiced at this art, and his rolls were perfect. Mine didn't fall apart, but the filling was off center like Marty Feldman's eyes in Young Frankenstein. I got creative with one roll, which I named the Hello Kitty Sourpuss Roll. I included some preserved lemon (with a bit of the salt removed by soaking), and it was pretty good. We drank $10 Italian red wine with it all (Tenuta del Portale Starsa Basilicata), and it was perfect. Then, we watched a violent Japanese animated film called Ninja Scroll. Not English-dubbed. Marvelous.

Gyū-maki

I'm not sure why the picture is slightly blurry. Perhaps the camera focused on the bit of exposed plate in the center, which was a bit further from the lens than the top of the rolls. We ate them, obliterating the possibility of a re-shoot.
Anyway, they tasted good. The scallions added a good element. Perhaps next time, a bit less rice and a bit more beef. Maybe I'll use slivers of grilled flank steak.

Roast Beef Nigiri

It's more or less impossible to find raw fish that's suitable for this around here, so I made landlocked nigiri sushi. Sometimes I've seen "sashimi grade tuna," but I'm not so sure I trust that.
My immature rice technique contributed to these beasties being quite delicate and difficult to eat, but they tasted very good. The flavors of roast beef and soy sauce combine beautifully - it's an umami smackdown. I think next time I'll have some nori on hand to tie a band around the nigiri to hold it together, like they do with unagi sushi:

Perhaps a small roll with roast beef and scallions inside would be good, and easier to eat. I love the combination of beef and scallions.