Heart for Sushi

Until just recently, I found the very idea of sushi to be disgusting. Raw fish and rice wrapped with a jumble of ingredients left my texture senses tingling. I couldn't imagine eating something like sushi because you enjoyed it. How could raw fish appeal to the human palate? Then it happened.

While out with a friend for Japanese cuisine, I found myself wrinkling my nose at his plate. A thin slice of fish atop a roll of rice with a brown sauce striping the whole roll made me wonder what could be so incredibly special about this expensive uncooked meal. My friend told me to try it, just once...I very reluctantly plucked a piece from the roll with my chopsticks and was about to bite into it when he corrected me, "No, put the whole thing in your mouth." Obediently I stuffed the large circular bite into my mouth. The moist smoothness of the fish complemented perfectly the rice and cream cheese in the roll itself. I nodded, "It isn't bad. Not my favorite, but it isn't bad."

It wasn't love at first bite; it was not until later that I developed a heart for sushi! I quickly discovered that sushi is a dish to be customized to personal taste. Another attempt at sushi later revealed that I did not like bold flavor bursts. The Out of Control Roll became my tolerated sushi dish. Finally, during an experiment with a new roll, I fell, hard and fast. The Sweet Heart Roll was everything I wanted in sushi. Delicious flavor, powerful and appealing textures, and my personal ensemble of goodness.

Since then, I've discovered many things about myself through my sushi-eating habits. I like warm ingredients mingled with cool. I like a slight crunch to be included in my texture palate. I also enjoy spicy, vibrant flavors!

I found myself discovering my personal taste preferences in a brilliantly delicious way. Because I am a person of habit, I often never try more than one dish at a restaurant, primarily because I go out to eat only when I crave specific foods. Sushi, however, has been a delightful experiment. Always ordering two rolls, I order my latest favorite and a new roll to challenge my tastebuds. Often this results in a wonderful surprise and a new favorite meal!