Eating Fancy On A Budget: Salmon, Avocado & Cucumber Sushi Recipe

Love food, but on a budget? We're in the same boat, buddy.



When you're in Australia, you will come to realise that food here is darn expensive, in terms of eating out. So, being a student, you'd obviously need to find ways to budget your spending, and it's usually results in us having to prep our own meals on a daily basis. However, as weeks go by, you may get tired, and just want to rest a little... don't we all? Like c'mon manzz, I'm from Singapore, a total food paradise where food is available 24/7 - so the change is so darn drastic to be honest. XD

Well, I found that in SG, I crave for non-Chinese food every now and then, but the moment I started independence here in Brisbane, I just kept on cooking non-Western food HAHAHA! It's like as if my body just switched to another. :D

So here's the thing.

I love salmon. I adore sashimi even more! So, imagine how much I have to hold back every single time I walk past a sushi store here? Coz damn manzz, their rolls of sushi here all cost an average of $2.80 (AUD, mind you!) So, how??? MAKE YOUR OWN LAH. 

Contrary to what some people may think, Australia does have its fair share of Asian grocery marts, and although the ingredients cost more than what it would back home, you can find everything you need when you head to most of these stores. ^_^

Just before we get too carried away, here are a few Asian grocery marts I've been to, where I've found my treasure trove of Chinese goodies, and if you're living in Brisbane, do check it out!

• Yuen's Market (Sunnybank & Fortitude Valley)
• Sunlit Market (Westfield Garden City)

I've heard that in the CBD, Formosa Asian Mart is the place to go - especially if you're a member of QUTSSA! There's a 10% discount for us *yay* - I just haven't gone to visit it yet... maybe today after class? Lol I just so happen to have class in the city campus on Monday XD Oh, but Mean Beanz is calling out to me... *addicted to lattes omg*

Anyway, I do recommend these few, as they stock everything you ever need - they even sell whole fish! For those thinking of bringing spices into Aussie - please - save your luggage space. Enough said.

The only food product I brought from SG is Koka's purple wheat noodles; Chilli & Lime, Soy & Vinegar and Aglio Olio - WHICH YOU CANNOT FIND HERE. It's my secret stash HAHAHA. (Ok, maybe not so secret now LOL) Sorry ah, if anyone wants to kope any, unless you're my good friend - no can do. So if let's say there's anything to bring - BRING THIS. Because this creation is hands down my favourite instant mee. Muahahaha.

For today! I will be intro-ing you my latest success - Salmon, avocado & cucumber sushi rolls *waves pompoms in the air*

First off, I have to say that - there is no way in heck that you're gonna find sashimi on the shelves here, so over here, we do have to settle for second best - Smoked Salmon.

Sashimi lovers, DO NOT PANIC. 

I know that back in SG, usually smoked salmon turns out to be on the salty side - and I absolutely loathe those. But, safe to say, if you choose the right product in Woolworths/Coles, your smoked salmon should taste wonderful! In my honest opinion, the smoked salmon here tasted just like thin slices of sashimi which have been slightly grilled. The flavour is impeccable, and the salt level is nearly nonexistent - melikey! (Omg, let's just coin the term; Cherlyn Approves!)

WHATCHA NEED:

• 1 cup of sushi rice 
• Sushi seasoning (Mizkan is the brand I use, but as long as the bottle has "sushi seasoning" on it, you're good to go!)
• Seaweed (Try to get resealable packs, really makes one's life easier)
• Bamboo rolling mat (Daiso has this everywhere!)
• 1/4 of a whole cucumber (Cling wrap the remaining 3/4 and place in fridge)
• 1 ripe avocado (Listen up, when I say ripe, it has GOT TO BE ripe - if not you will really be disappointed haha. The skin should be a very dark green, have a slightly "squishable" feel)
• 1 pack of smoked salmon (It's really up to you how much you want to put in, so feel free to buy a bigger pack if you'd like more salmon in your sushi!)
• Half a lemon (Will be helpful if you own a citrus squeezer)
• RICE COOKER. (My friend, if you don't own a rice cooker - then um, sorry ah - I have always lived with intelligent rice cookers HAHAHA - boil it in a pot AT YOUR OWN RISK AH)

THE PREP:

1. Cook the sushi rice in the rice cooker. After adding water to the required level in your pot, put in 3 tablespoons of sushi seasoning. Select "Sticky" rice texture if that function is available. If not, fret not - cook as usual. 
2. Now, get started on chopping up your avocado and cucumber! 
3. Take out the smoked salmon, and tear it into generous shreds. (Come on, we're at home. No need for a knife to cut into equal strips - it's gonna look the same when rolled up anyway >v<)
4. Squeeze half a lemon onto your sliced avocado, making sure each slice gets some. 
5. When you rice is done, scoop it into a bowl and allow it to cool completely.

EXECUTION:

1. Take out your bamboo rolling mat, and lay a piece of seaweed on it.
2. Spread your rice out onto the seaweed, but leave at least 1cm from the ends. (I prefer to place my rice at the lower part of the seaweed, so that when I roll the sushi, it's easier - especially when you have so many ingredients)
3. Place the smoked salmon onto the rice.
4. Now, add 2-3 slices of avocado on top.
5. Seeing where to best fit in, strategically place your cucumber slices onto the sushi pile (HAHAHA overloaded right)
6. For the grand moment, you just roll, press (NOT SQUISH AH) - repeat this until you get it into a nice roll. One tip: using normal tap water and your best tool - your finger, wet the top of the seaweed, so that the roll will stick together with the seaweed. Works like magic.
7. Looking good right? You're practically at the last step! Using a knife, cut the roll into half - and wala! You're ready to eat.
8. Chill them in the fridge if you're having them for later!

  

TADAAAAAAAA!

It might take you a while during the try, but once you get the hang of it - you're gonna be trying out various sushi rolls yourself! ^_^ This portions out to about 10 mini rolls, should satisfy your sushi cravings for quite a while haha :D

Hoping it's Easy Peasy Japanese-y XDDD
Cherlyn Aurora xoxo

The llao llao Craze!

Food is always a hot topic on every Singaporean mind. Known for food craze & trends which have come and gone, like donuts, beancurd and bubble tea - but after trying llao llao, I think this froyo store is definitely a contender that will stay on for a long long time.

Ask any youth out there: Have you tried llao llao? Majority will tell you Y-E-S! Recently launched in Singapore, with their first outlet sitting comfortably in Marina Link, they have now opened several more stores islandwide. I must say, I do envy my fellow SP juniors who are now enjoying llao llao in school anytime ohmygoodness. Most of the marketing for llao llao has been more of a word of mouth type, as it grew in popularity as more people came to know of this delicious delight from social media pictures. C'mon, if you see a froyo parfait that has a generous serving, combined with fresh fruits and crunchy toppings, along with a range of never-tasted-before sauces, with a green spoon so striking that you just can't resist - you know you have gotta get your tastebuds on this.

I personally LOVE their sanum. Whatever sanum means, in my dictionary, its definition is: froyo perfection with 100% satisfaction. I've had it 3 times, but no way am I stopping my llao llao intake anytime soon! If a store is in sight, I'm getting in line. And when I say line (mainly weekends), it is not a short queue, neither is it a 10 minute wait - more like an hour's wait in a queue that moved at snail's pace. Maybe that's the only setback, coz the service can be pretty slow - BUT I must must must emphasise that this is because they don't rush through your froyo creation. You see my friend, every sanum is different. Let me tell you why.

First off, they put a dollop of froyo at the bottom, then proceed to choosing 1 crunch, and 3 types of fruits, which they will then top it with another layer of crunch, before swirling that fantastic froyo again, and topping it off with a sauce of your choice. In this photo, taken on 27 July, I chose muesli, watermelon, melon & blueberries, plus the famous dark chocolate sauce.

Muesli with chocolate chips is like one of the most heavenly toppings I've ever had, and I highly recommend it to everyone. The fruits are surprisingly juicy and sweet, beyond expectations - just feast your eyes on the voluptuous blueberries okay, I can't even find those in stores here. That chocolate sauce. oh. my. It freezes once it hits the froyo, but when you put it in your mouth, it really just combines so beautifully with each spoonful.

Totally worthy of the title: "Heaven in a bite".  At $5.90, this is incredible. If you haven't tried it yet, you really should - just a tip for you guys though - the one at 313 serves up more yoghurt, but they don't give as much toppings (as heard from my cousin) & they also charge a higher price by $1 (prolly due to the higher rent there, so can't blame them), so I guess if you're in the esplanade mrt area, do pop by their Marina Link outlet instead. :D

Raise your green spoons,
Cherlyn Aurora xoxo

P.S. Do check out my new lifestyle blog, cherlynaurora.blogspot.sg :D