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Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art
 
 
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Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art [Hardcover]

Shizuo Tsuji (Author), Yoshiki Tsuji (Author), M.F.K. Fisher (Introduction), Ruth Reichl (Foreword)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)


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Book Description

February 16, 2007
When it was first published, Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art changed the way the culinary world viewed Japanese cooking, moving it from obscure ethnic food to haute cuisine.

Twenty-five years later, much has changed. Japanese food is a favorite of diners around the world. Not only is sushi as much a part of the Western culinary scene as burgers, bagels, and burritos, but some Japanese chefs have become household names. Japanese flavors, ingredients, and textures have been fused into dishes from a wide variety of other cuisines. What hasn't changed over the years, however, are the foundations of Japanese cooking. When he originally wrote Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art, Shizuo Tsuji, a scholar who trained under famous European chefs, was so careful and precise in his descriptions of the cuisine and its vital philosophies, and so thoughtful in his choice of dishes and recipes, that his words--and the dishes they help produce--are as fresh today as when they were first written.
The 25th Anniversary edition celebrates Tsuji's classic work. Building on M.F.K.Fisher's eloquent introduction, the volume now includes a thought-provoking new Foreword by Gourmet Editor-in-Chief Ruth Reichl and a new preface by the author's son and Tsuji Culinary Institute Director Yoshiki Tsuji. Beautifully illustrated with eight pages of new color photos and over 500 drawings, and containing 230 traditional recipes as well as detailed explanations of ingredients, kitchen utensils, techniques and cultural aspects of Japanese cuisine, this edition continues the Tsuji legacy of bringing the Japanese kitchen within the reach of Western cooks.


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.

Review


"Quite the most illuminating text around on Japanese food." --Nigella Lawson


..".this is much more than a cookbook. It is a philosophical treatise about the simple art of Japanese cooking. Appreciate the lessons of this book, and you will understand that while sushi and sashimi were becoming part of American culture, we were absorbing much larger lessons from the Japanese. We were learning to think about food in an entirely new way."--from the new Foreword by Ruth Reichl


"If Kurasawa had ignited my love for the country, Mr. Tsuji deepened and defined it." -- Jonathan Hayes in The New York Times


"A complete guide to Japanese cooking, this collection is a must-have for anyone interested in Japanese food or culture." --Publishers Weekly


"My go-to for reference and classic recipes." --Debra Samuels, The Boston Globe


"A core addition to any and all personal, professional, or community library multicultural cookbook collections." --Midwest Book Review



Product Details

  • Hardcover: 508 pages
  • Publisher: Kodansha USA; 25th anniversary edition (February 16, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 4770030495
  • ISBN-13: 978-4770030498
  • Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.6 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,731 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 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
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
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)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
grated giant white radish, grilled bean curd, oriental provisions stores, hottest charcoal fire, shiraita konbu, oroshi technique, sansho pepper powder, stalks trefoil, trefoil stalks, yuzu citron rind, grated wasabi horseradish, red tilefish, deep individual dishes, hajikami shóga, kinome sprigs, clam consommé, parboiled spinach, primary dashi, kitchen carver, chopped trefoil, shiso buds, medium burdock root, cut burdock, secondary dashi, rolled omelette
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, New Year, Sea Bream Steamed
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