How Monks Make Sushi

Jai Ganesha!

During their lunar retreats (something akin to a weekend), the monks break from their routine meals of lentils, curries, chapatis and chutneys, and branch into other cuisines for their evening meals. Once a month they make some of the best wood-fired pizza in the western hemisphere and the next week you might find them trying to construct the perfect taco. Over this last retreat, everyone enjoyed some vegetable-rich vegetarian sushi. This slideshow gives you a quick introduction to how our monks make their sushi. Try not to get too hungry!

A plate of colorful vegetarian sushi rolls, ready for eating

It all begins with rice, cooked to perfection and cooled. Our monks only eat brown rice, but we find that if slightly over cooked and mixed with some extra rice vinegar, it will stick together well enough.

Preparations begin with strips of vegetables, ready for rolling. Today we have bell pepper, tomato, radish, chives, celery, portobellos, cucumber, green onions, sunflower sprouts and avocado.

Many veggies are from a local farmers market or from our own garden and greenhouse

oh, and from our own trees, or course

The mushrooms are baked just enough to dehydrate.

And who could forget the tofu! Cut into strips, lightly salted and baked to crust. Yummy!

Ready to go!

Some high quality sushi nori on standby

And a bowl of sesame seeds for decor and added flavor

We use a bamboo rolling mat, with a plastic bag that helps avoid sticking

Place your nori shiny-side down and add your rice, evenly covering the sheet

Then add your desired filling

Yogi lists some other vegetables you can try, like lettuce, carrots and even beets.

Next you roll the sushi part way and tuck back as you go

Then complete the roll and try to shape it well. If your rice is wet enough the seam along the roll will take care of itself.

We have some sushi!

A few slices reveal the ever-differing tapestry inside

The end pieces make a good preview of what you\

ll find within'

Gotta get it perfect for the photo

Soon after we have an edible ocean of color

Find yourself some wasabi and soy sauce for dipping, it\

s time for a healthy, tasty feast!'

Next time you\

re not sure what to make for dinner, maybe give sushi a try! Aum. '
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