After a jam-packed, long overdue entry last time, today I want to talk about one thing: sushi. Many people who have never tried sushi cringe at the very thought. I admit I was a bit skeptical at first when my sister suggested that I go to the sushi bar with her. But I gave it a shot, and it turns out that I really like it! Sushi is a delicious blend of flavors and textures unlike any other type of food I’ve ever tried. I have two personal favorites: salmon, which has a wonderfully smooth texture and very little “fishy” flavor, and California rolls, which normally include cooked crab (or imitation crab), cucumber, seaweed, and sushi rice. Sushi is food as art. The appearance and presentation are just as important as the flavor, and many creations are quite beautiful. The word “sushi” actually refers to the type of sticky rice that are part of many “sushi” dishes. Yes, much of the fish is raw, but it is handled very carefully to keep it safe. Millions of people every day eat sushi with no ill effects. Some items are cooked, such as the California rolls and a special sweet egg dish called tamago. So if you’re one of the skeptics, I urge you to try it just once. Start with an order of California rolls and then start experimenting. If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I strongly recommend Midori Sushi in Irving. It was my first sushi experience, and it’s still the best sushi I’ve ever had. They also give you free miso soup (delicious!) as an appetizer and a sliced orange for dessert. You can find Midori Sushi at the corner of MacArthur and Northgate in Irving.