At Camp Nisswa, we love trying out new things in the Nisswa Lakes Area—and the Valentine Sushi Rolling Class at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd, MN was a fantastic experience! From learning the art of sushi-making to enjoying a night out with friends, this event combined great food, fun, and new skills.
The evening took place on February 13th at the stunning Luminary Event Center, located within the historic Northern Pacific Center. The class was led by Executive Chef Matt Annand from Notch 8 Chowhouse and Drinkery—and let’s just say, Chef Matt knows his sushi!
Getting Ready to Roll
When we arrived, the tables were beautifully set, each with a complete sushi-making kit. Up front, Chef Matt stood at his cooking station, ready to guide us through the process. He began by introducing us to the ingredients and explaining the fundamentals of sushi-making.
One of our Camp Nisswa Counselors even surprised the room by being the first participant to correctly answer the question: What does the word “sushi” mean? (It means “vinegar rice” or “sour rice”!)
Sushi 101: Rice is Everything
Chef Matt shared his tips for making perfect sushi rice—an essential step for successful rolls:
Use sushi-grade rice (available at most grocery stores).
The ratio is 3 parts rice to 4 parts water.
Bring the water and rice to a boil, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 20 minutes.
Let the rice cool before rolling.
Rolling, Tasting, and Having Fun
With our sushi kits in hand, we were ready to roll! Each kit included containers of rice, fresh vegetables, flavorful sauces, and an impressive selection of proteins—lobster, mahi-mahi, and tuna. There were more than enough ingredients to create multiple rolls and even extras to take home.
The process was as fun as it was delicious. We started with a sheet of seaweed (shiny side down) on a bamboo mat, added a thin layer of rice, and then layered ingredients like lobster, shrimp, avocado, peppers, carrots, and crispy tempura. Each roll became a little masterpiece—until we devoured them!
Let’s just say… it didn’t take long before we were stuffed. Sushi is surprisingly filling!
More Sushi Adventures Ahead
Chef Matt announced that he plans to host additional sushi classes this spring—so if you missed this one, be sure to check out the Northern Pacific Center website for upcoming dates.
Our Takeaway:
We had a blast at the Valentine Sushi Rolling Class. Events like this are what make the Nisswa Lakes Area such a special place to explore. At Camp Nisswa, we’re always up for trying new experiences, and this one was definitely a highlight. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more events from Chef Matt and the Northern Pacific Center—because the best memories are made when you try something new!
Happy sushi rolling!
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