Sushi for Thought

[http://www.sushispot2.com/assets/images/content/gallery/full/02.jpg]

Sushi.

Su. Shi.

Suuuuuuushi.

I love sushi. Morning, day, evening, night. I can eat sushi all day, every day, 365 days a year. 

People ask me, "Tonia, what's your favourite food?"

Without hesitation or a moment of thought, I respond "sushi."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"You're Italian."

"What does that have to do with my favourite food?"

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being Italian-- we have some of the greatest food, but there's something about sushi that just takes my hunger away.

Mind you the epic amounts of white rice literally satisfy hunger because carbs tend to make you full faster anyway; however, from a palette perspective, it's not the rice that makes sushi. The rice compliments the sweet taste of sashimi, the salty of soya sauce, the bitterness of ginger and the savory of wasabi. Rice is simply the supporting actress in this Tonia-nominated foodie delight that considers all actors of taste part of sushi's outstanding palette performance.

The joy of sushi is not just eating it, it's how you eat it -- it's an experience that requires no fork and it's meant to be shared (probably one of my favourite aspects of eating sushi). 

Once you are seated (I like to sit in one of those private rooms where there's a make-shift door that looks like a curtain), on the table in front of you lays a small plate and dipping bowl for your soya sauce and wasabi. The hostess brings you a cup of piping-hot green tea. Often times it's the brown rice green tea -- delicious! Next, you place your order -- I'm a sucker for the "Arctic Roll": salmon sashimi, kani sashimi, tempura bits, avocado, and spicy sauce all neatly tucked within rice paper.

Once the food arrives, it's time to dig in sans fork (unless of course you ask for one, but it's sushi! Try something new, use chopsticks :) ). You take your chopsticks and gently press the ends on either side of the sushi piece. You dip the sushi into the soya-wasabi sauce and eat. Repeat 25 more times. If you're my friends, multiply that by 2. This naturally takes a bit of time, but with great company (since we all know Tonia enjoys sharing her experience of food with friends and family) the time flies and it allows you to not only savour and reflect on the food you're ingesting, but also to acknowledge and appreciate the conversation around you.

The intense flavour palette with the delicate use of chopsticks and stimulating company makes sushi an experience rather than a drive-through meal.

What is your favourite food? Why? Do you enjoy eating amongst friends and family?