Bestselling author and food writer Debra Samuels uses her unique skills and deep love of Japan to make the cuisine of her adopted country attainable in My Japanese Table.

The recipes in this Japanese cookbook, the result of decades spent teaching and preparing homestyle Japanese dishes, include familiar favorites like Hand-Rolled Sushi and classic Miso Soup and less familiar but equally welcome dishes such as Lobster Rolls with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Fried Pork Cutlets. There is also a chapter on the increasingly popular bento lunch boxes, along with a wonderful selection of desserts, including the delectable Mochi Dumplings with Strawberries.

This is a gorgeous book. I love that most of the recipes have a color photo so you know what your supposed to end up with. A few have additional, smaller, step-by-step photos that are especially nice. The recipes are clear and easy to follow. All-in-all, this is a great cookbook of Japanese fare that I think most would enjoy. -Sandra’s Kitchen Nook

Cookbook author and Japan expert Debra Samuels says the five main elements of a bento are color, texture, seasonality, presentation and nutrition (and let’s not forget portion control-how much can you cram into those little compartments?). She says many Japanese believe that including five colors on your plate-red, yellow, green, white and black-means you have a balanced meal. -NPR’s Kitchen Window