Hopefully something that also goes into the history of the food,
customs, traditions and where/how to acquire some of the necessary
ingredients. If this takes more than one book (or a series of them)
that is fine as along as they are good.

I'd prefer to avoid anything that's heavily 'east-west', but a little
bit is ok, as I understand that substitutions are necessary.


I saw one today in HalfPrice Books, generically titled "Japanese
Cooking". It had an engaging overview of Japanese culture as it related
to dining, and while it talked about probably a couple hundred different
dishes (and their variations, and their roles in nutrition) it only
contained about a dozen actual recipes (six of them being types of sushi).

Thanks in advance for the help!

-Jared

On 2009-01-20, phaeton > wrote:
> Hopefully something that also goes into the history of the food,
> customs, traditions and where/how to acquire some of the necessary
> ingredients. If this takes more than one book (or a series of them)
> that is fine as along as they are good.

I recommend The Joy of Japanese Cooking.

Not so much history or tradition, just straight ahead cooking howto. Of
the dozen cookbooks I kept when I had to move, this one was a keeper.
Detailed info and explanations and both great drawings and beautiful
pictures to illustrate the well written English descriptions. One of the
best written and organized cookbooks I've ever read, regardless of culture
or cuisine. Highly recommended. Thumbs up from a native Japanese lady who,
along with her husband, owned a bento takeout.

http://tinyurl.com/7mqbf7

nb

On 2009-01-20, phaeton > wrote:

> Hopefully something that also goes into the history of the food,
> customs, traditions and where/how to acquire some of the necessary
> ingredients. If this takes more than one book (or a series of them)
> that is fine as along as they are good.
>
> I'd prefer to avoid anything that's heavily 'east-west', but a little
> bit is ok, as I understand that substitutions are necessary.
>
>
> I saw one today in HalfPrice Books, generically titled "Japanese
> Cooking". It had an engaging overview of Japanese culture as it related
> to dining, and while it talked about probably a couple hundred different
> dishes (and their variations, and their roles in nutrition) it only
> contained about a dozen actual recipes (six of them being types of sushi).

If it was "Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art" by Shizuo Tsuji, it is an
excellent book -- The best Japanese cookbook I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Cooki.../dp/0870113992

--
Clay Irving >
Flies spread disease -- Keep yours closed!

Clay Irving wrote:
> On 2009-01-20, phaeton > wrote:
>
>> Hopefully something that also goes into the history of the food,
>> customs, traditions and where/how to acquire some of the necessary
>> ingredients. If this takes more than one book (or a series of them)
>> that is fine as along as they are good.
>>
>> I'd prefer to avoid anything that's heavily 'east-west', but a little
>> bit is ok, as I understand that substitutions are necessary.
>>
>>
>> I saw one today in HalfPrice Books, generically titled "Japanese
>> Cooking". It had an engaging overview of Japanese culture as it related
>> to dining, and while it talked about probably a couple hundred different
>> dishes (and their variations, and their roles in nutrition) it only
>> contained about a dozen actual recipes (six of them being types of sushi).
>
> If it was "Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art" by Shizuo Tsuji, it is an
> excellent book -- The best Japanese cookbook I have.
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Cooki.../dp/0870113992
>
Seconded.

--
Jean B.

phaeton wrote:
> Hopefully something that also goes into the history of the food,
> customs, traditions and where/how to acquire some of the necessary
> ingredients. If this takes more than one book (or a series of them)
> that is fine as along as they are good.
>
> I'd prefer to avoid anything that's heavily 'east-west', but a little
> bit is ok, as I understand that substitutions are necessary.
>
>
> I saw one today in HalfPrice Books, generically titled "Japanese
> Cooking". It had an engaging overview of Japanese culture as it related
> to dining, and while it talked about probably a couple hundred different
> dishes (and their variations, and their roles in nutrition) it only
> contained about a dozen actual recipes (six of them being types of sushi).
>
> Thanks in advance for the help!
>
> -Jared


Out of the two books that were mentioned thusfar (Joy of Japanese
Cooking, Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art), do either of them go into the
day-to-day 'peasant food' that Japanese families eat at home? That's
what I'm most interested in.

I was also looking at this book:

http://tinyurl.com/7fw9wp

Anyone have any experience with it?

Thanks!

-Jared

Hay thanks everyone.

I just ordered a copy of The Joy of Japanese Cooking (
http://tinyurl.com/7mqbf7 ) and Japanese Cooking, a Simple Art (
http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Cooki.../dp/0870113992
). They should be here in a week or so. Can't wait!

I got them used of course.

Thanks for the suggestions. After I've gotten familiar with them (and
some of their recipes) I'll probably take another look at the other one
by Hiroko Shimbo (http://tinyurl.com/7fw9wp)

Fun fun!

-Jared