Mayumi's Kitchen: Macrobiotic Cooking for Body and Soul [Hardcover]

Mayumi Nishimura (Author), Madonna (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2010

[INSIDE-FLAP COPY]
"Not only are you the best chef in the world...your amazing food helped me to be a happier, healthier person, balanced in body and mind."
--Madonna (from the Preface)

[BACKCOVER COPY]
"Mayumi makes beautiful, energizing food, which I have been lucky enough to enjoy many times over the years. I am thrilled that now everyone can have a chance to experience the effects of her meals, which are as healing and healthy as one can get!"
--Gwyneth Paltrow

"When people think of macrobiotics, they think of healing and recovery, but they rarely think of gorgeous, yummy food. Mayumi's Kitchen changes all that."
--Christina Pirello, Emmy Award-winning host of Christina Cooks on national public television and best-selling cookbook author

"Mayumi has long been one of my favorite chefs in the world-her cooking is infused with love, joy, and the spirit of a true artist. So it's no surprise to me that this wonderful book is as inviting as her food-gorgeous, friendly, and welcoming."
--Jessica Porter, author, The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics

"In this book and its recipes, Mayumi captures the beauty and spirit of macrobiotics and natural foods cuisine. She has inspired many toward a healthful lifestyle, and will continue to do so with this wonderful book."
--Dr. Lawrence Haruo Kushi, nutritional epidemiologist

"With years of innovative experience, Mayumi Nishimura brings food to life with a balanced sense of taste, color, and good nutrition. The recipes and artistic photography in Mayumi's Kitchen are sure to make your mouth water and your lips quiver! This is whole food kitchen inspiration at its best."
--Verne Varona, author, Macrobiotics for Dummies

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Product Description
Macrobiotics--the healthy, nature-friendly way of life based on a diet of whole grains, vegetables, and beans--is now a global phenomenon. In recent years a number of Hollywood stars have taken up the macrobiotic diet because of its many benefits, which include higher energy levels, beautiful skin, a tranquil mind, and a greater sense of connection with the universe. In Mayumi's Kitchen, the woman who worked for seven years as Madonna's private macrobiotic chef shares with the world her dazzling recipes.

Mayumi Nishimura's unique style of cooking is healthful, intuitive, and easy to stick with. She draws her inspiration not only from Japanese food, which she grew up eating, but also from Chinese, French, Italian, and any number of other world cuisines, as well as from macrobiotic traditions. She believes that enjoyment, above all, is the key to sustainable healthy eating, and that means adapting her cooking to cosmopolitan tastes. The reader will thus discover in her book a number of familiar-looking dishes prepared with macrobiotic as well as more conventional ingredients, in both Western and non-Western styles.

The centerpiece of Mayumi's Kitchen is her ten-day detox diet. Here readers can enjoy a macrobiotic menu that will transform them from the inside out. Following this are meal-planning tips and recipes for more than fifty dishes, including such favorites as Salmon Soup, Avocado Rolls, Vegetable Lasagna, and Seitan Pot Stickers. There is even a party-food section with recipes for spring rolls, tempura, pizza, and more.

In all, Mayumi introduces more than 130 mouthwatering recipes, all lavishly illustrated with color photographs. Many are explained in terms of their nutritional value or energy quality, and unfamiliar techniques are made clear with step-by-step pictures. For beginners and lifelong macrobiotic practitioners alike, these dishes will wow and delight.

From Mayumi’s Kitchen: Brownies

These brownies proved incredibly popular with Madonna’s back-up dancers, whom I sometimes made snacks for while on tour. Brownies have since become a favorite birthday treat. Makes one 8 × 8-inch (20 × 20-cm) pan.

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup (110 g) unbleached white flour or barley flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup (80 g) maple sugar
• 1/4 cup (20 g) cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup (90 g) sugarless chocolate chips

Wet Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp unsweetened soymilk
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) rapeseed oil or other vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Sea salt, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. Oil a Pyrex or other square ovenproof pan. Or, for easier cleanup, line the pan with baking paper.

3. Place all DRY INGREDIENTS in one bowl and all WET INGREDIENTS in another. Mix well separately, then add the WET INGREDIENTS to the DRY INGREDIENTS and mix just enough to blend, using a spatula to prevent lumps.

4. Transfer to the pan, place on the middle rack of the oven, and bake for 20 minutes (time may vary depending on the oven; test for doneness with a toothpick). When a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean, remove from oven.

5. Allow to cool before cutting into squares and removing from the pan.

From Mayumi’s Kitchen: Strawberry Tempeh Smoothie

I invented this recipe for a Japanese TV show. They wanted me to demonstrate how to use tempeh in several different ways. It tastes wonderful and feels healthier than store-bought protein drinks. For a sweeter flavor, add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or any natural sweetener of your choice. Serves 2.

Ingredients

• 1 oz (30 g) tempeh, steamed
• 8 to 10 strawberries
• 2 cups (480 ml) rice milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp maca powder (optional)
• 1/8 tsp sea salt

Directions

1. Steam the tempeh for 15 minutes.

2. Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

From Publishers Weekly

The concept of following a macrobiotic diet might sound daunting, but Nishimura—who worked as Madonna's private chef for seven years (and had her former boss write a foreword for this book)—breaks it down into simple, can-do steps and recipes. She suggests kicking things off with a 10-day detox diet, which includes such macrobiotic staples as soft-cooked brown rice, miso soup with shiitake mushrooms and herbs, and udon salad. She demystifies exotic ingredients like mochi and hijiki, and saves work for followers of the detox plan by precisely explaining how to use leftovers. After the detox diet, there are straightforward meal-planning tips and dozens more recipes, including wild arugula and artichoke heart salad; creamy potato and leek soup; sea bass with green lentils; pan-fried fish cakes with tofu tartar sauce; and almond jewel cookies. And Nishimura's menus for specific goals—beautiful skin, weight loss, and muscle building—guide readers to the foods that work best for their needs. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha USA; 1 edition (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770031106
• ISBN-13: 978-4770031105
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.8 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #582,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!!! April 28, 2010

By S. Loudon VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am not an expert on macrobiotics, so let me place that disclaimer up front and center. I pre-ordered this book, and just got it yesterday. For the size of this book, there is much to love. The recipes are straightforward, and for the most part do not require ingredients too awfully obscure. There is a particular grain that I would probably have to mail order for (although she does offer substitutes), but the rest of the lists include things I usually have on hand as someone who has already started delving into this way of eating. (Ume plum vinegar, daikon, greens, sesame oils, etc.) I'm excited to try so many of the recipes - the spring rolls, "ja-ja" tofu, salmon soup, the noodle dishes, pressed salads, nori rolls ... I wish I had the book here with me; I could be more specific! You won't find in-depth macrobiotic theory here, for which I'm grateful. If you want to really learn the theory of macrobiotics, I'd recommend Macrobiotics for Dummies, or one of Simon Brown's books on the subject.

Here, you find a book that tells a bit about Mayumi and her story, which is nice, but mostly, it's packed with recipes. There are helpful color photos everywhere - of the finished dishes, dishes being prepared, step-by-step instructions, and a lot more. I love the way the sauces/dressings are organized and laid out. First, a double page with a small overhead shot of each sauce, and a description of it and the many ways you can use it. Next page, you'll find the recipes. She's got a nice detox plan in here, as well. I really like how she makes use of leftovers in these menus. No waste, and the food gets used quickly, for optimum nutrition. Some of the recipes are similar to those in other macrobiotics books I own (these are simply mainstays in macrobiotics, such as pressed salads or pickles) but most are different or are variations on the theme.

If I had to list one con, it would be that some of the menus may not be practical on a day-to-day basis (at least for working people), such as the multi-course breakfasts. I aim to figure out how to make this work, but without having to heat something up, I'm not sure. I'll get back to you on that. Once I try some of the recipes I'll try to come back and report. But by looks alone, I think Mayumi's Kitchen is a keeper.

(Just a note to the publisher: I did see a couple typos, which happens, occasionally, with a first printing. Pickle was misspelled once, and in the ingredients index some text was omitted.) I would not count this as a reason not to buy this book, though.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has inspired me to write my first book review! July 1, 2010

By Dana L Ullerich

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found myself wanting to change over to a macrobiotic diet but felt intimidated by most macrobiotic cookbooks. A friend who is a macrobiotic chef recommended this book so I bought it. I fell in love with it immediately! The pictures are beautiful and the recipes are so well written. All the food, and I mean ALL the food, has been delicious. The 10-day detox is so great b/c I don't have to think about what to make next - it is laid out perfectly. What I love is that no matter what I make it comes out exactly as it looks in the book, which is very encouraging. Mayumi's seasonings and sauces are right on target. Her tofu mayonnaise is surprisingly better than regular mayo. This book inspires me to eat healthier.

The only complaint I have is that I wish there were twice as many recipes. Mayumi, please write another book soon!!!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful addition to a Macrobiotic Cookbook shelf :) May 29, 2010

By Lisa VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I have 4 other Macrobiotic Cookbooks on my kitchen shelf: 2 from Christina Pirello, 1 from Jessica Porter and 1 from Alicia Silverstone (co written by Jessica Porter). Mayumi's Kitchen is a wonderful addition to my cookbook shelf. The book itself is so bright and pleasing to the eye. There are lovely photographs of all of the recipes. The layout is really great - easy to read and understand. Mayumi Nishimura did a nice job of presenting her information in such a way that says , "The food looks fancy - but anyone can do this - it's easy" The only problem I had with this book is that it wasn't big enough! I wish it had more recipes. I hope she puts out another cookbook soon!!