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Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art [Hardcover]

Shizuo Tsuji (Author), M.F.K. Fisher (Introduction), Mary Sutherland (Collaborator)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)


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Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art 4.8 out of 5 stars (61)
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Book Description

November 15, 1980
Japanese food continues to grow in popularity in the United States. Yet enjoyment of Japanese cooking is still largely limited to an occasional night out at a Japanese restaurant, and for far too long it has been assumed that this food is difficult to make in one's own kitchen. Actually, Japanese cooking is surprisingly simple. Raw ingredients should be glistening fresh and of the best quality, and flavors, however elaborate, are built up from just two basic seasonings - dashi, an easily made, delicate stock, and shoyu, naturally brewed Japanese soy sauce.

This cookbook is much more than an accumulation of recipes. In his preface, the author (whom Craig Claiborne calls "a sort of Renaissance man of Japanese and world gastronomy") discusses the essence of Japanese cooking, with its emphasis on simplicity, a balance of textures, colors, and flavors, seasonal freshness, and beauty of presentation. The expertise of the staff of the professional cooking school headed by the author is evident throughout the book.

After introducing ingredients and utensils, the 20 chapters of Part One are made up of lessons presenting all the basic Japanese cooking methods and principal types of prepared foods-grilling, simmering, steaming, noodles, sushi, pickles, and so on-with accompanying basic model recipes. Part Two consists of 130 carefully selected recipes. These range from simple dishes for daily fare to well-chosen challenges for the adventurous cook. Together with the 90-odd recipes included in Part One, these enable the cook to build up a repertory, dish by dish, from the basic everyday "soup and three" formula to a gala banquet.

Whether preparing a snack for oneself or something special for friends, readers will find themselves reaching for this volume. Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art is a sourcebook of cooking concepts and recipes from one of the world's outstanding culinary traditions.

Over 220 recipes 510 sketches 16 color pages chart of North American and Japanese fish extensive list of shops in North America where ingredients can be purchased calorie and weight chart of typical Japanese foods metric conversion tables.


Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Easily the most comprehensive and exhaustive look at Japanese cuisine available, this groundbreaking classic marks its quarter-century anniversary in a revised edition with a new foreword by Gourmet editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl and a new preface by the late Tsuji's son, Yoshiki Tsuji. Part cookbook, part philosophical treatise, this highly acclaimed collection offers a wealth of insight for amateurs and experts alike. Every technique associated with Japanese food is described step by step in great detail, along with illustrations to guide the reader through everything from filleting fish or cleaning an octopus to rolling omelets. Sections on the Japanese meal, ingredients and selecting and cutting fish, chicken and vegetables offer great insight into the culture as well as the food. The recipe section of the book is divided by cooking method rather than food type, including grilled and pan-fried, steamed, simmered and deep-fried. Dishes range from the simple, Pan-Broiled Salmon, to the more complex, Nagasaki-Style Braised Pork, and many dishes are vegetarian. Sushi and sashimi are covered in depth, as are knives, the proper way to slice the fish, and decorative presentations. A complete guide to Japanese cooking, this collection is must-have for anyone interested in Japanese food or culture. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A wonderful book ... encyclopedic and easy to follow." -- Bedford Times

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 518 pages
  • Publisher: Kodansha USA; 1st edition (November 15, 1980)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0870113992
  • ISBN-13: 978-0870113994
  • Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

61 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (61 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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114 of 115 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars At its worst, it is impressive, July 27, 2002
This review is from: Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art (Hardcover)
This is not just a great Japanese cookbook. It is a great cookbook in general. Not content to merely compile a series of recipes, Shizuo Tsuji adds descriptions of cooking techniques unique to Japanese food, insight into Japanese culture, and more importantly he imparts valuable knowledge on how to understand and appreciate Japanese cuisine.

He divides the book into two parts. The first part begins with a discussion on how meals are prepared and composed. Then he explains ingredients, tools, and techniques that are frequently used in the book. He ends part one with recipes that are intended to be a basic introduction to various types of Japanese food (each "type" employs different methods of preparation and cooking, such as frying, steaming, etc.) The recipes are traditional Japanese meals that you would encounter if you went to Japan.

Part two is all recipes, again divided into the same types that part one is divided into. However, these are slightly more complex and they build on the techniques learned in part one.

This is a book that can be used by beginners or more advanced cooks. It is definitely a useful reference for all those who love Japanese food and would like to know how to make it and how to enjoy it authentically.

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56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, entertaining, and a must-have, January 18, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art (Hardcover)
I have been searching a long time for a comprehensive book on Japanese cooking because I grew up with a mother who was a fantastic cook. Unfortunately, she never used recipes or measuring devices, so I have been struggling to duplicate the many delicious dishes of my childhood to no avail. This book is the answer to my quest. The recipes are very authentic, and the author talks about the history of the various recipes and cooking techniques. This enhances the enjoyment of the beautiful cuisine. I feel like I am back home in Mom's kitchen!
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69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Not a book for beginners..., December 26, 2001
By 
David M Hsu (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art (Hardcover)
If you love Japanese food, this is the book for you. More then simply a list of recipes, it really does describe Japanese cooking as an art form. Unfortunately, if you are a newcomer to Japanese cooking as I myself am, the book is not particularly useful in the kitchen. First of all, the book sacrifices ease for authenticity. This means that many of the dishes require ingredients or tools that aren't readily available at the local supermarket. However, if you want to really learn how authentic Japanese food is prepared, look no further.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
This book goes beyond a presentation of authentic recipes for you to imitate. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
grated giant white radish, oroshi technique, grilled bean curd, oriental provisions stores, yuzu citron rind, hottest charcoal fire, grated wasabi horseradish, shiraita konbu, red tilefish, trefoil stalks, harusame filaments, sansho pepper powder, stalks trefoil, pickled ginger shoots, chrysanthemum turnip, nimai oroshi, kinome sprigs, deep individual dishes, hajikami shóga, parboiled spinach, primary dashi, clam consommé, donabe casserole, shiso buds, kitchen carver
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, New Year, Sea Bream Steamed
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