Customer Reviews

Japanese Hot Pots: Comforting One-Pot Meals

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After living in Japan for three years, I was pining for something Japanese besides sushi. This book more than fills that need. It is beautifully laid out with lots of photos and easy-to-follow directions. The authors recognize that some of the ingredients and tools for these recipes could be difficult to find, so not only do they give suitable substitutes, they also provide websites of vendors who carry the unique items. There are plenty of sidebars offering explanations of why some things are done a certain way, including the right way to slice cabbage and why hot pot ingredients are added in a particular order. Another thing I love about a cookbook is when I can learn something about the dish, along with getting the recipe. I enjoy learning the origin of the recipe and/or why it's unique to a certain region. EVERY RECIPE has a story to go with it and many have serving options along with suggested side dishes.

Japanese hot pot meals are very family-oriented. In a Japanese home, the hot pot meal is cooked right at the dining table using a portable butane stove. Everyone just digs in or cooks their own favorites in the broth. Although a portable butane stove isn't something commonly found in an American home, it is easy enough to find either here at Amazon.com or at an oriental market. I have two of them, and they have been real lifesavers at pot lucks and during power outages. It's like taking my gas range with me, no matter where I go. So if you decide to invest in the butane stove, know that you will use it for more than the hot pot meals!!

I grew up in Japan and this is authentic Japanese comfort food. Throw everything in one pot like a slow cooker but the best part is that you don't have to wait for hours for it to cook like in a slow cooker - everything is cooked in real time while you and your guests sit cozily around a table. There are recipes for vegetarians, seafood lovers and meat eaters. The photos are numerous and inspires one to call friends and get together.

I have been following Harris Salat's blog for about 6 months and have been awaiting the arrival of the book anxiously. So far it has not disappointed. I have only done 2 of the recipes so far. Luckily (like the book states a number of time) these recipes do not mind being adjusted for tastes and available ingredients. And yet with common sense they turned out fantastic. Right now using cast iron dutch oven but will probably invest in either a chinese clay pot or a japanese danabe.

I recently bought this cook book and my three kids and I have been having a lot of fun exploring the recipes! At first I was a little scared that we wouldn't have access to the Japanese ingredients needed for some of the recipes but quickly discovered that the authors suggest alternatives for each and every item that may be hard to find in your neck of the woods. (i.e. A small Japanese onion can be replaced with two scallions). I like to make my kids simple, home cooked meals, and these recipes are very easy to follow and make great family meals! I highly recommend this cookbook.

This is a great cookbook if you love hot pot. There are full descriptions of the different Japanese ingredients and instructions for preparing and using them in these recipes. They've included everything from fish, meat, and even vegetarian hot pots. So far I've only made the Hand Pulled Noodle hot pot, but I'll be trying the Tofu hot pot later this week. The directions are very easy to follow. The only challenge is successfully finding some of these ingredients where you live. I live somewhat near L.A. so I can shop at a big Japanese market here after a bit of a drive. The preparation can also be quite long and involved, so be ready for that. For example, the mushroom stock in my first recipe took 5 hours minimum to steep. Then I had to make the dough and let it sit for an hour. Next was shaping and boiling the dough, preparing the vegetables and broth, and finally simmering all of the ingredients together. The results were worth it though...very light, fresh, and FILLING hot pot.

I have really enjoyed working through the delicious recipes in this book. They are well described, easy to follow and the results are excellent. The book itself is very well written with lots of humorous anecdotes. It also features beautiful photography and is well laid out. I've already purchased several copies to give as gifts.

I was inspired to purchase the book after watching the two featured videos on Amazon. Chef Tadashi's demonstrations are simple and clear. I have tried the salmon, chicken and beef sukiyaki hot pots with great success - quick, easy and delicious. The recipes are well balanced with vegetables, protein and carbohydrates. They are also low fat. I found the section on Japanese ingredients helpful, since most ingredients are readily available, but I wasn't sure how to use them. This is a great book for hearty home cooking & proves Japanese isn't all sushi / complicated techniques. It's also good fun for guests when they can cook at the table.

It took one hot pot recipe - the one with the hand pulled dumpling to open the door. Then I needed a new hot pot. I have tried these recipes with both my donabe and electric skillet. It has completely converted my meatasaurus husband to eating his vegetables. He was delightfully eating the cabbage!?! I couldn't believe my eyes. Not to mention, it was such a healthy way of cooking that tastes absolutely delicious, fresh and robust at the same time. It truly warms the soul

My one recommendation - Have a couple recipe options available since not all ingredients are readily available. You will find that almost all the ingredients are available at a well-stocked Japanese grocery store.

Every year my brother gets me something wonderful for my birthday. This year, he sent me this wonderful book....Japanese Hot Pots! I love cooking and trying new things and this book did not disappoint. The pictures are absolutely beautiful and the recipes are so easy and wonderful to make. I live in a place where I thought I might have some difficulty finding some of the ingredients but so far, that is not the case. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to cook and has a sense of adventure! You won't be disappointed!

I like to cook and I have a lot of cookbooks, but this one is a favorite! The recipes are delicious, healthy, and very easy to make. The beautiful imagery gives you a great sense of your end goal. Having travelled in Japan and being an adventurous eater, I sampled a lot of different menus items. These Hot Pot recipes bring back to me the essence of delicious Japanese cooking. This is definitely a cookbook that will get a work-out this winter.