{"title":"Makiko Itoh","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMakiko Itoh\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a delightful exploration of authentic Japanese cuisine, inviting readers into the world of traditional cooking with clear, accessible recipes. Her books celebrate the rich flavours and time-honoured techniques that define Japan’s food culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom everyday bento lunches to the lively atmosphere of izakaya dining, her cookbooks provide inspiration for home cooks eager to experience genuine tastes and simple, elegant preparation. Each title reflects a deep respect for Japanese culinary traditions and practical guidance for all skill levels.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"real-japanese-cooking-by-makiko-itoh-9784805316153","title":"Real Japanese Cooking","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaki Itoh has succeeded in creating a treasure trove in her exploration of Japanese recipes and culinary traditions...Perfect for the Japanese food loving home cook.\u003c\/em\u003e — Elise Bauer, Founder, SimplyRecipes.com\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first comprehensive cookbook to fully cover all aspects of Japanese cuisine with 600 recipes!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book has been a lifetime in the making. Bicultural author Makiko Itoh was born in Tokyo and grew up in New York, where her mother ran the leading Japanese restaurant for two decades. She has since developed a career as a successful bilingual food writer and translator, uniquely positioned to explain the cuisine to non-Japanese.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer book answers all the questions foreigners typically have about one of the world's greatest cuisines, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWhy is Japanese food so unique?\u003c\/em\u003e A full overview from umami to seasonality to aesthetics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEssential ingredients like miso, mirin, dashi, sake and soy — how and why they are used.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHow to design a Japanese meal — from tableware to equipment to etiquette.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWhich recipes are right for you? The 600 recipes in this book cover everything from bento boxes to nimono simmered dishes to izakaya, sushi and hotpots. But which ones should you try?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eItoh's mission is to demystify Japanese cuisine for non-Japanese. Her book contains 400 beautiful colour photos with clearly-presented recipes interspersed with fascinating essays and sidebars explaining all aspects of Japan's unique food culture. A must-read book for every Japanese food lover!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47582549868780,"sku":"9784805316153","price":93.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9784805316153-real-japanese-cooking.jpg?v=1777421742"},{"product_id":"the-real-japanese-izakaya-cookbook-by-makiko-itoh-9784805315286","title":"The Real Japanese Izakaya Cookbook","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Real Japanese Izakaya Cookbook\u003c\/em\u003e by Makiko Itoh and Wataru Yokota explores the world of Izakaya cooking, which is all about enjoying hearty and flavourful Japanese food with drinks and friends at your local hole-in-the-wall hangout. Similar to tapas or pub food, izakaya fare ranges from tasty bar snacks to substantial salads, stews, grilled meats, and seafood dishes — all made fresh with minimal fuss and maximum flavour — and served alongside a chilled glass of beer or sake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese include standards like Yakitori Chicken Skewers, Crispy Gyoza, and Grilled Wagyu Beef with Shiso. Vegans and vegetarians are also well catered to with dishes like Daikon Salad with Yuzu Dressing, Chargrilled Fava Beans, and Baked Tofu with Ginger Sauce. Chef and author Wataru Yokota adds his own unique twists to signature Japanese recipes, like Miso-Simmered Pork and Grilled Mackerel with Plum Sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYokota's recipes are simple and quick, aimed at working folks who don't have a lot of time to cook but love trying new and interesting flavours. This book provides clear step-by-step photos and instructions for each dish. The introduction gives guidelines for selecting, pouring, and mixing drinks to complement the recipes — and even how to quickly grill and smoke meat to give it that authentic izakaya taste!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Gardners Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47582609965292,"sku":"9784805315286","price":42.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9784805315286-the-real-japanese-izakaya-cookbook.jpg?v=1777429491"},{"product_id":"the-just-bento-cookbook-everyday-lunches-to-go-by-makiko-itoh-9781568363936","title":"The Just Bento Cookbook: Everyday Lunches to Go","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBento fever has recently swept across the West, fuelled not just by an interest in cute, decorative food, but by the desire for an economical, healthy approach to eating in these times of recession. A leading light in the popularisation of bento has been Makiko Itoh, whose blog, Just Bento, boasts hundreds of thousands of subscribers, all of whom love her delicious recipes and practical bento-making tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow, for the first time, Itoh's expertise has been packaged in book form. \u003cem\u003eThe Just Bento Cookbook\u003c\/em\u003e contains twenty-five attractive bento menus and more than 150 recipes, all of which have been specially created for this book and are divided into two main sections, Japanese and Not-so-Japanese. The Japanese section includes classic bento menus such as Salted Salmon Bento and Chicken Karaage Bento, while the Not-so-Japanese section shows how Western food can be adapted to the bento concept, with delicious menus such as Summer Vegetable Gratin Bento and Everyone Loves a Pie Bento.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the recipes, Itoh includes sections on bento-making equipment, bento staples to make and stock, basic cooking techniques, and a glossary. A planning-chart section is included, showing readers how they might organise their weekly bento making.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn a market full of bento books that emphasise the cute and the decorative, this book stands out for its emphasis on the health and economic benefits of the bento, and for the very practical guidelines on how to ensure that a daily bento lunch is something that can easily be incorporated into anyone's lifestyle. This is the perfect book for the bento beginner, but will also provide a wealth of new bento recipe ideas and tips for Just Bento aficionados.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48010627973356,"sku":"9781568363936","price":45.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781568363936-the-just-bento-cookbook-everyday-lunches-to-go.jpg?v=1785154928"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/makiko-itoh.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}