[Pangur Ban]

Raw fish is about the only topping you can use on on nigiri sushi ( Sushi rice with something on top of it )

For nori-maki sushi ( narrow strips of different ingredients layered on sushi rice spread on a sheet of toasted seaweed, then rolled ) raw fish is good, but there are many other ingredients you can try.

If you can't find sashimi quality fish, try some of the these alternatives for nori-maki sushi,

1.Pre packed smoked salmon
2.Cooked spinach leaves
3.Japanese style omlette, like a normal omlette but folded over in half continually during cooking to create a layered finished product.
4.Carrot, cut in matchstick slivers
5.Cucumber - leave the skin on, and prepare as per carrot
6.Tinned tuna -- some of the flavoured types such as tuna, with soy and ginger, work very well.
7.Cooked tofu.
8.Avocado ( very common, but I can't stand the stuff myself )
9.Curly lettuce

Three of my favourite combinations are:

1&9, 2&3, 4,5&6

The most important part about any sushi is to prepare the rice correctly. You can buy premixed powder to sprinkle on the rice, but adding the ingredients by hand gives a much better result. Get this step right, and you can experiment with other ingredients.

I *do not* under *any* circumstances recommend a variation offered by a local Asian take away in a shopping center near where I live. Sushi dipped in batter, and then deep fried. It tastes even worse than it sounds.

If you want any more info, drop me a p.m.

Pang.