Making Sushi at...the Library?

Last time it was omelets. This time chef Robert Kass taught the teens how to make fresh veggie sushi as part of the Merrick Library summer program Wednesday evening.

"I do a lot of cooking," said Matthew Cavanagh, one of the attentive teens, "and I come to these classes to learn new recipes to use at home."

Prior to donning plastic gloves, Kass instructed each student to grab their paper and pen.

"You'll remember the recipe better if you write it down," Kass told the class, "instead of just reading it off the page."

Before long he was surrounded by the teens as he showed them how to make the night's featured dish. Once the students patted the rice on the seaweed, or nori, added a selection of vegetables and rolled everything up with the help of a special mat, they were ready to add wasabi and ginger. All that was left was to eat their creations.

"It's the first time I'm having sushi," reported Charles Wilson. After taking a bite, he said, "It's good."

Bridget Rossi came to the class to learn a new recipe.

"I'm vegetarian and I like making sushi, so that's why I'm here," she said. 

In addition to bringing home a new recipe, Bridget was the winner of a raffle, held by teen services librarian, Larissa Simonovski, getting a copy of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

August 11 will be the final cooking class in this series. Chef Kass will teach how to make a selection of pasta dishes and sauces. Classes are at 6:30 p.m. and registration is still open.