Stalking Vegetables

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Talk to anyone who knows food and they’ll tell you, veggies are more than just a source for vitamins and fiber, as they possess an array of flavors and textures that cannot be replicated in the carnivorous world.  So why are succulent stalks, luscious leaves, and robust roots always playing second- or third-fiddle to mounds of meat?

Culinary guru Kentaro Kobayashi confesses he was once a full-time carnivore. So when simple veggie curry introduced his palate to a world of taste he was remiss to have ignored it. Now a convert, an omnivorous Kentaro has devoted his latest book in the Easy Japanese Cooking series, Veggie Haven, to the humble vegetable. Inspired by their limitless potential to satisfy and revitalize, he has devised nearly 80 new tantalizing recipes bound to make diners beg for more greens.

Veggie Haven‘s full-color spreads, easy to follow instructions, and simple and filling recipes will win over even the most dedicated meat-eater. So move over, steak, and sayonara, sashimi!  Starting today, Kentaro’s hearty curries, heartwarming soups, and elegant entrees are destined to earn praise as they begin to dominate the dining spotlight.

It’s a Men’s World!

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Men, pasta, laksa… Whatever you call them, noodles are the ultimate comfort food. For centuries mothers have been preparing these starchy treats for their families in steaming bowls of broth or cheesy casseroles. Rumors say Marco Polo was so moved after experiencing what was then Asia’s best-kept secret that he had to take some home with him. Today Kentaro Kobayashi has collected some of the best this 4000-year-old delight has to offer in his new book Noodle Comfort.

In the second book of his Easy Japanese Cooking series, Kentaro guides foodies on a culinary world tour, covering everything from pho and soba to linguine and gnocchi. A world of flavor, Old and New, come together in this collection of 50 mouth-watering simple recipes sure to tickle taste buds and warm hearts.

Times are tough and money is scarce. We already have so much to strain our noodles over already. Why worry about dinner, too? Pick up a copy of Kentaro’s Noodle Comfort today and reacquaint yourself with an old-world dish with a long tradition of taste and comfort. Your brain, and stomach, will thank you later.

Web Sources Confirm Global Outbreak of Donburi Mania!

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

While much of the mainstream media seems to have contracted a seasonal flu, a growing number of journalists appear to be coming down with a mouth-watering strain of Donburi Mania.

According to The Daily Yomiuri’s Tom Baker, Donburi Mania can be traced back to the Tokyo kitchen of best-selling author Kentaro Kobayashi. Notes Baker, “Early this week, six of Kentaro‘s cookbooks were listed in the top 100 best-selling cookbooks on amazon.co.jp…Now he is going international. Donburi Mania, the first volume in his ‘Easy Japanese Cooking’ series, was recently published by Vertical, Inc.”

Across the globe in the United Kingdom the Mostly Food Journal makes a point of how easily foodies can catch this culinary fever, stating, “It couldn’t be simpler. No exotic equipment needed and more importantly…no special skills. I’ll be eating my way through each of Kentaro Kobayashi’s tempting recipes.”

Back in the U.S. a vaccine is nowhere in sight. Kobayashi’s wickedly good, simple recipes have people reconsidering going out (for dinner). About the surge of self-imposed quarantines Bookotron says, “You could easily and very cheaply cook three meals a week out of this and probably not receive any complaints. Prepare for compliments instead. In hard use, over a couple of weeks, Donburi Mania has proved to be a sturdy, excellent cookbook. It’s well worth your money and time, and I look forward to the remaining volumes in the series.”

Even the seasoned food journalists at Ochef.com agree Donburi Mania recipes may be the genesis of a new evolution in cooking instruction, “The book offers simple, fast food, with good flavor, and some personality that is lacking in more than a few of today’s cookbooks.”

As the pandemic reaches critical mass Vertical recommends picking up a volume to build up resiliency, and your pantry, for the next wave of Kentaro Kobayashi’s killer cookbooks.

Chicken Toppings for the Cash-Strapped Soul

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

The wait is over! Here comes Donburi Mania, the first installment of charismatic Chef Kentaro’s Easy Japanese Cooking series and Vertical’s first-ever cookbook! Named after the bowl in which they’re traditionally served, donburi are “over rice” meals topped with anything that suits your mood. In this book you’ll find traditional donburi recipes along with inventive new conceptions, as well as a grand assortment of soups and sides. The best part? The recipes are as wallet-friendly as they are hunger-satisfying.

The Tokyo Mango blog says “Donburi Mania is a fun Japanese cookbook… I really want to make a killer oyakodon and I kinda wanna try the Melty Cheesy Meat Sauce Donburi.” Also check out this rave review!

If you’ve been a fan of our literary fare’s unique blending of quality and visceral satisfaction, then you gotta taste this one.