Kansha: Celebrating Japan's Vegan and Vegetarian Traditions

lobsteriffic · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:05 pm

I just got this book out of the library. It's a really pretty book with gorgeous photos.

Some of the ingredients are hard to find though (for me), but that makes sense if the book is using authentic Japanese ingredients. I want to go to a Japanese grocer around here and pick up a few things so I can actually try out some of the recipes.

Even if you don't follow the recipes exactly though, the author goes into explaining what 'kansha' is really about - appreciation and thankfulness and using all parts of vegetables, etc.

Anyone else used this book? I really like that there is a lot of writing about the history of different foods in Japanese culture, but I'm kind of a nerd like that.

ETA: http://www.amazon.com/Kansha-Celebrating-Japans-Vegetarian-Traditions/dp/1580089550/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299628931&sr=8-1

Tuiren · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:47 pm

I have been coveting this book and nearly picked it up at Borders, but even with a 40% off coupon it was a little high for my current budget. Maybe my library will get it too! *fingers crossed*

lobsteriffic · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:09 pm

Yeah I was thinking of picking up a copy for my own but it's kind of expensive. Can you request titles to your library?

*veganopolis852* · **Joined:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 8:36 am **Posts:** 41

Just looked at the books preview on amazon....looks amazing! I am def going to get this book!!!
I LOVE Japanese food!!!
Thanks for the tip!

coldandsleepy · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:30 pm

A good friend gave me a copy for Christmas and I have drooled all over it but haven't made anything out of it yet. Thanks for reminding me, I should probably get on that!

Tuiren · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:36 pm

lobsteriffic wrote:

Yeah I was thinking of picking up a copy for my own but it's kind of expensive. Can you request titles to your library?

Only if the book is over 6 months old. So...eventually.

teapot · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:32 am

I have this book on hold at the library, can't wait!

trash · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:59 am

I've been eyeing this longingly for a while, too, but it's a bit out of my budget. I'm hoping it'll pop up cheaply secondhand on Amazon at some point...

dimsimkitty · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:08 am

My mum got me this for christmas, and it is gorgeous. I haven't made anything out of it yet, but I plan to. It is a beautifully done book.

vijita · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:50 am

This book is absolutely gorgeous! I gave a copy to ameyfm but I will definitely soon be purchasing my own.

IsaChandra · **Joined:** Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:21 pm **Posts:** 7845

I just ordered it!

pistachiorose · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:37 pm

I have this book. I bought it a couple of months ago. It's really beautiful and the recipes sound lovely, but it's a bit more complicated and time-consuming than I've had time for lately, which is why I haven't used it yet. But the recipes look pretty authentic and I bet that a multi-course meal with recipes from this book would be lovely...

Niev · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:55 pm

This looks really good. I miss Japanese food a lot because there aren't many vegan options in the restaurants here. I just put this on my wishlist.

vijita · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:42 pm

It's, like, WTF-gorgeous. And as pistachiorose says, quite authentic, which means time consuming, since Japanese cuisine is so focused on beautiful presentation. It's totally worth the (hefty-ish!) price tag if you are really interested in Japanese cuisine. The chapters on methods and equipment are really fascinating! Okay I guess I should go write an amazon review already.

eta...wait it's only $23 US on amazon? That's crazy worth it!

von m · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:39 pm **Posts:** 656

This book looks amazing! I didn't even know it existed.

IsaChandra · **Joined:** Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:21 pm **Posts:** 7845

It sounds like no one has made anything from it yet. Maybe we should do a cook along?

coldandsleepy · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:27 pm

COOKALONG!

vijita · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:42 pm

I'm down!

erinwyso · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:29 pm

This is intriguing!

pistachiorose · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:02 pm

Maybe this cook-a-long thing will give me the balls to brave my shitty guesthouse kitchen (I live with ~10 people) and actually cook something in it...

teapot · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:29 pm

I'm in as soon as I get the book!

dimsimkitty · **Posted:** Mon Mar 14, 2011 12:48 am

A cookalong sounds fun!

IsaChandra · **Joined:** Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:21 pm **Posts:** 7845

YAY! Hopefully mine shows up tomorrow. How about we all choose an entree? Or should we all make the same thing? Same thing? Since it's a COOKALONG?

dimsimkitty · **Posted:** Mon Mar 14, 2011 12:56 am

Same thing for authentic cook-a-long-ness. Then maybe we diversify later. ;)
COOKALONG!

Just went and retrieved my copy from the coffee table.

von m · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:39 pm **Posts:** 656

Well I guess I'm going to have to order it now.

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