Sushified

I love sushi!  Ten years ago those words would have never come out of my mouth.  Raw fish?  I don't think so.  But sushi is so much more than raw fish.  Sushi is a party in your mouth.  Good sushi is fresh, just the right temperature of cold, has a combination of flavors and textures, spice and mild.  It is pretty.  When eaten properly, with chop sticks, it takes time.  You can't rush good sushi.  It is a conversation starter and a good companion to good conversation.

Here's the problem.  Getting your family to like sushi.  Even getting them to try sushi has been a battle.  I started with who I thought was my adventurous son.  I took him to lunch at one of those sushi bars where the sushi floats by on little boats and you pick what you want.  Fun, right?  I explained to him what was in the various creations floating by and he chose very carefully.  A roll with shrimp, cucumber and avocado wrapped in the black seaweed and, of course, rice.  Delicious!  Or so I thought.  He stuffed the whole piece in his mouth and proceeded to spit it out on his plate as if he had just put a spoonful of dog poop in his mouth.  Followed by "yuck, yuck, YUCK!" 

"Try a different piece," I attempted, mortified by the large lunch crowd staring at us.  "You like spicy, right?  Try spicy crab."  He gallantly pushed forward and tried it.  He reacted as though it was more like spicy crap.  He managed to at least keep it down and we ordered him chicken tempura, which is really just. . .mom's, you know what I'm going to say. . .chicken fingers!

My less adventurous son will eat sushi if he is forced to and it's being paid for by someone other than him.  My husband has been very honest with me and has flat out told me it's not going to happen.  So I've had to find friends who like sushi so I can get my sushi fix.  I have a few friends my age who will travel great distances to meet me for lunch if it involves sushi.  For some reason all the pastors at my church love sushi.  The head pastor, the youth pastor and the children's pastor have all joined me.  The youth pastor in particular, has become a great sushi buddy, but he'll be moving out of the state soon so I'm not talking to him!  Just kidding.

If you haven't tried sushi, call me.  I'll meet you for lunch and introduce you to one of the best sushi bars around.  I'll get you sushified if it kills me!  I need the company!