Peko Peko is a new Japanese cookbook compiled by a group of bloggers and food writers to raise money for charity relief to aid Japan’s recovery from the recent earthquake and nuclear disaster. 100% of the proceeds are donated.
Review by: Matthew Johnson
The 50 recipes in Peko Peko (Japanese onomatopoeia for a grumbling stomach) range from the very authentic to the Japanese inspired. Dishes like kinpira gobo (shredded burdock & carrot in a soy-sesame dressing) and chicken karaage are the very heart and soul of Japanese home cooking while others, like the avocado umeboshi salad, are more spiritually aligned.
Regardless of their roots, these recipes demonstrate the culinary contradiction that I miss most from my time in Japan: delicate intensity. They play with textures, colors, and flavors in search of a perfect balance, and most, if not all of them appear to have succeeded.
Almost all of the included photos are top notch and would easily be at home in any cookbook you’d pick up at your local bookstore, and if you’re one of those people who look first at the dessert chapter, don’t worry. All the desserts look delicious. Almost half are green tea flavored, but even if you don’t like green tea, standouts like Poached Plums in Plum Wine with Shiso Ice Cream are sure to entice.
I highly recommend you pick up Peko Peko, not only for the good it does the Japanese people but also for the good it will do your grumbling stomach. Whether you’re looking for something simple for a weekday evening or the perfect dish to blow somebody’s socks off, you’ll find it inside.
Click Here to Order Peko Peko
100% of Proceeds Donated to Japan’s Recovery
Comments 1
Hi Matthew, This is a must have cookbook for my kitchen. One of my favorite cuisines to eat and by far the most challenging to cook for this South Western born and raised girl. However, that doesn’t stop my from trying. Great review!
Marc, Thanks for sharing my link for Bite My Sweet Tarts Tini in you recent Szechuan Button piece. xoxo