Crispy salmon skin---a love story

On the rare occasion, I happen upon something surprising and delicious in my line of work, that I didn't cook myself. It is typically very simplistic, which are hands down my favorite dishes. At the end of 2017 (what we can all agree was a pretty turbulent year.) I needed a culinary win...something that would shine the light on the gloomy corners of my cynical culinary heart. 

On an evening when I had no interest in cooking, I ordered a few dishes from a local Japanese restaurant. As is the case with most restaurants currently, the food was average, slightly over seasoned and void of any real nuance or finesse. I did venture into the sushi menu, which is rare, that's where I saw it listed...Crispy Salmon Skin sushi. It was just interesting enough to risk the disappointment. To be clear, I am no stranger to the magic that is a perfectly crispy salmon skin. I've seen it in a few variations, over rice, as a ramen topper, etc. I had never encountered it in a sushi roll. 

When my ordered arrived, I tore into the sushi first. It was a revelation. I'm sure there are plenty of talented sushi masters out there that will roll their eyes that my excitement over something so commonplace. I'm also confident that the roll I had was not the very best on the planet. I can say for certain that I've now ordered that roll three times and it is consistently good. Briny, not fishy, slightly sweet, perfectly crisp and utterly satisfying. When I encounter something that excites me I get obsessive and continue to chase after that taste and experience in different places. I'll keep you abreast of my findings.