About

After my children were born, I started incorporating Japanese food into their diet as soon as they could take down solids.  Both of my children ate “hot tea rice” when they were six months old and now they both love nori (Japanese seaweed) wrapped around almost anything.  I make the nori squares crispy and flavorful by gently wafting them over the gas stove with a little bit of sesame oil brushed on and then sprinkle them with some sea salt.  Then I cut them up into quarters.  With these, we wrap up rice, fish, even leftovers, or we just eat them without anything.  My kids and I call the seaweed pieces “Japanese potato chips” because they are crispy and addictive!

I believe the more you introduce to your kids, the more they will adapt to trying new things for the rest of their life.  My five year old daughter Maggie and three year old son Ryan can eat raw fish, tofu, and seaweed with ease because they see these as part of their normal diet versus something foreign and weird.  The plus side is that the whole family can enjoy eating healthy, fresh, nutritious and protein enriched foods that are very prevalent in Japanese cooking.

My goal is to write a cookbook where the reader can not only get delicious recipes out of the book but learn how to use Japanese ingredients in every day cooking in a way that comes naturally.  If you aren’t Japanese or experienced in Japanese cooking it can be seen as difficult because of lack of familiarity with the ingredients.  Although all of the beautiful dishware, intricate knife cutting, and laborious attention to detail are a part of the beauty of Japanese presentation, the core ingredients are actually quite simple and available.

Japanese cooking is great for families because it really does not use a large amount of salt or seasoning and allows for kids to appreciate food in a very natural state.  Sushi is a perfect example of this and is so easy to do at home.  Kids love to get involved because they can make their own rolls out of so many different healthy choices.  In fact, you can make very non-traditional sushi rolls by including traditional household foods such as chicken, eggs, and vegetables – whatever your kids like!  It’s always easier to get a balanced meal down the hatch when kids get involved.  Japanese cooking is a great way to do this!

Given that my kids are half Japanese, mealtime gives them memories of the different smells and tastes of their culture, hopefully showing them how important heritage and traditions are.  I hope you and your families learn a little about Japanese culture through cooking and find that Japanese cooking can be simple and FUN!

どうぞめしあがれ (Douzo meshiagare) = Please enjoy your meal!