Cheese And Sushi: An Unlikely Pairing?

The use of cheese in sushi is a controversial topic. While some people enjoy it, others dislike it due to its non-traditional nature and its tendency to dilute the flavour of other ingredients and throw off the consistency of the roll. The most commonly used cheese in sushi is cream cheese, which is often paired with salmon, avocado, and cucumber to create what is known as a Philadelphia roll. This type of sushi is popular in the West, especially in Western supermarkets and buffets, and is derived from the first-ever created inside-out sushi, the California roll. While it may not be to everyone's taste, the Philadelphia roll has gained a following for its creamy texture and unique flavour combinations.

The Philadelphia roll

There is some controversy surrounding the use of cream cheese in sushi. Some people enjoy it, while others dislike it, arguing that it dilutes the flavour of traditional ingredients and throws off the consistency of the roll. However, it is undeniably popular, and some sushi chefs have found ways to use cream cheese to create complex flavour combinations. For example, adding ingredients with strong flavours and textures to counteract the "mushy" texture of the cream cheese, and using only a small amount of cream cheese.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 oz raw sashimi-grade or lightly smoked salmon
• 1/2 cup sushi rice
• 2 TBSP seasoned rice vinegar
• 1 sheet of nori seaweed
• 2 oz cream cheese or to taste
• Tasty extras: sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning blend, matchstick sliced cucumber, chives or scallions, and of course some Sriracha and soy sauce for dipping
• Bamboo sushi mat
• Plastic wrap (optional)

Method:

• Rinse 1/2 cup of sushi rice in cool water using a mesh strainer until the water runs clear, then shake to drain.
• In a medium saucepan, add rice and 2/3 cup cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, then remove from heat and allow rice to steam for an additional 10 minutes.
• Transfer the rice to a non-metallic bowl and fluff with a fork. Add 2 TBSP of seasoned rice vinegar and mix well. Allow to cool while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Roll/shape chilled cream cheese into ropes long enough to spread across your seaweed sheet horizontally. Set aside.
• Slice salmon and any other optional ingredients into strips.
• Line a bamboo mat with plastic wrap and top with nori, rough side facing up.
• Spread rice thinly on the seaweed sheet and turn it so that the rectangle is vertical/tall.
• In a horizontal row about an inch from the bottom, place sliced salmon, cream cheese, and any optional veggies on top of your rice.
• Grab the nori and the mat, and roll approx. 1/4 of the mat over the filling and gently squeeze to stick it to the rice below. Repeat this process until you've rolled the sheet of rice, seaweed, and veggies into a spiral, giving it one last squeeze to seal.
• Slice each roll into 6 bite-sized discs with a freshly sharpened chef's knife.
• Sprinkle the cut side with sesame seeds and serve with soy sauce and/or Sriracha chili sauce for dipping.

Cream cheese and crab sushi rolls

Ingredients

To make cream cheese and crab sushi rolls, you will need the following ingredients:

• Nori seaweed sheets
• White rice
• Rice vinegar
• Imitation crab legs
• Cream cheese
• Ginger
• Cucumber

Method

Firstly, cook the rice by bringing it to a boil in a saucepan with water. Then, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Once cooked, stir in the rice vinegar and allow the rice to cool completely.

Next, lay out your seaweed sheets and spread the rice evenly, leaving a 0.5-inch gap at one end. Arrange the crab, cucumber, and cream cheese in a line on top of the rice, then roll up the sushi from the toppings towards the exposed end of the seaweed sheet.

Finally, use a sharp, wet knife to slice each roll into 5 or 6 pieces. Serve with minced ginger on the side.

Tips

Some people find that cream cheese can make sushi too "mushy", so it is important to use a small amount and add ingredients with strong flavours and textures to counteract this. You can also try marinating the other ingredients in sesame oil to add moisture and enhance the flavours.

Is cream cheese traditional in sushi?

Cream cheese in sushi is a highly controversial topic. While some people love it, others hate it. The addition of cream cheese to sushi is certainly not traditional, but it is undeniably popular.

Traditional Japanese sushi is a delicate balance of flavours, whereas Western diners tend to prefer bolder flavours and stronger colours. The Philadelphia roll, which includes salmon, avocado, and cream cheese, is an example of a Western-inspired sushi roll that has been modified to target the American market. The idea of putting the rice on the outside of the roll and the nori (seaweed) on the inside is tailored to Western aesthetics, as they do not enjoy the sight or texture of seaweed on the outside of the roll.

Some people argue that the use of cream cheese in sushi dilutes the flavour of most traditional ingredients and throws off the consistency of the roll, making it too "mushy". However, there are a few instances where sushi chefs have successfully incorporated cream cheese to create complex flavour combinations. For example, adding ingredients with strong flavours (such as spices, oils, and salt) and ingredients that counteract the "mushy" texture can result in a tasty dish.

In conclusion, while cream cheese in sushi is not traditional, it has become a popular ingredient in Western-style sushi due to the fusion of flavours and cultural evolution.

How to make a Philadelphia roll

Philadelphia rolls, also called Philly rolls or Japanese bagel rolls, are a type of sushi that combines cream cheese and salmon, a common pairing on bagels. While this type of sushi is not traditional, it is very popular. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a Philadelphia roll:

Ingredients:

• 3-4 oz raw sashimi-grade or lightly smoked salmon
• 1/2 cup sushi rice
• 2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
• 1 sheet of nori seaweed
• 2 oz cream cheese
• 1-2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• Sriracha chilli sauce and/or soy sauce for dipping

Optional:

• Chives or scallions
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Cucumber

Method:

• Rinse 1/2 cup of sushi rice in cool water using a mesh strainer. Rinse until the water runs clear, then shake to drain.
• In a medium saucepan, add the rice and 2/3 cup cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, then remove from the heat and allow the rice to steam for an additional 10 minutes.
• Transfer the rice to a non-metallic bowl and fluff it with a fork. Add 2 tbsp of seasoned rice vinegar and mix well. Allow the rice to cool while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Roll the chilled cream cheese into ropes long enough to spread across your seaweed sheet horizontally. Set aside.
• Slice the salmon and any optional ingredients into strips.
• Line a bamboo mat with plastic wrap and top with the nori, rough side facing up.
• Spread the rice thinly on the seaweed sheet and turn it so that the rectangle is vertical.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds and flip the nori over.
• Place the sliced salmon, cream cheese, and any optional ingredients on top of the rice, about an inch from the bottom.
• Grab the nori and the mat, and roll it over the filling. Gently squeeze to make it stick to the rice and unfold the bamboo mat. Repeat until you've rolled the entire sheet.
• Slice each roll into bite-sized pieces with a sharp knife.
• Sprinkle the cut side with sesame seeds and serve with soy sauce and/or Sriracha chilli sauce.

Other cheeses in sushi

While cream cheese is the most common type of cheese used in sushi, there are other types of cheese that can be used to create unique and tasty sushi rolls.

One option is to use a combination of cheese and crabmeat or imitation crab legs. This can be a delicious and surprisingly simple way to make a sushi roll that is often found in supermarkets. The cream cheese and crabmeat combination is a popular choice for those who enjoy the creamy texture and savoury taste that the cheese adds to the roll.

Another option is to use a flavoured cream cheese, such as spicy cream cheese mixed with sriracha or another hot sauce. This can add a kick to your sushi roll and create a unique flavour profile.

Some people also choose to add other types of cheese, such as feta or goat cheese, to their sushi rolls. These cheeses can add a tangy and creamy element to the roll, creating a fusion of flavours that some people enjoy.

When adding cheese to sushi, it is important to use a small amount and pair it with ingredients that have strong flavours and textures. This helps to balance the roll and ensure that the cheese does not overpower the other ingredients.

While the use of cheese in sushi is controversial and not traditional, it has become a popular trend in Western sushi cuisine, with many people enjoying the creative and flavourful combinations that can be achieved.

Frequently asked questions