WIN a copy of ZENBU ZEN - Finding Food, Culture and Balance in Kyoto by Jane Lawson

Zenbu Zen takes you on a very personal 'armchair' escape to Kyoto, Japan with food and travel writer Jane Lawson. This book includes an informative, easy to read narrative with details about Japanese ingredients and plenty of authentic recipes.  

Plus the book is so beautifully designed and illustrated you won't be able to stop running your hands all over it! 

If you are interested in learning to cook and eat like the Japanese do at home and have an appreciation for the Japanese aesthetic you will love this book.

Lucky you! There is a copy up for grabs - all you have to do is this:

1. Go to the @zenbu_tours instagram page and follow if if you don't already

2. Find the image of the book cover above on the instagram thread and like it

3. Leave a word (plus #) under the photo on the instragram thread to describe what interests you most about Japan eg #Japanesetravel #japanesecuisine #food #zen #culture etc

That's it! 

You must enter by midnight AEST Friday 15 May 2015. 

All entries go in the hat and will be drawn on 16 May. 

Good Luck !

Japanese Winter Hotpot Cooking Class at Essential Ingredient Prahran

It seems a long way off I know and it is rather hot and humid right now in Australia to be thinking about such things but come July 18th 2015 you will surely be needing to warm your hearts and bellies with a little Japanese style winter comfort food?

The friendly people at The Essential Ingredient in Prahran have invited me to teach a hands-on class on Japanese winter hotpots and the like. Delicious and nutritious nabe and nimono are guaranteed to be at the centre of your winter table for years to come after you've been part of this fun and informative class.  

I'm about to head off into yet another Japanese winter so there's no doubt I'll be returning with a few new recipes tucked under my wing - might have to lock in several classes!!

Hope to see you there! Here's the link:

Jane Lawson's Japanese Winter Hotpot Class

 at Essential Ingredient Prahran

Ah Miso Hungry

Saikyo. Hatcho. Mugi. Aka. Shiro ?? 

Anyone?? 

If none of these ring a bell you might not know quite as much about miso as you thought you did.  And no... it ain't just for soup.

If you feel like a little chat, cook, dine session with me then head straight over to

 Essential Ingredient Prahran's website 

where you can book in for my class on 31 August 2014.

It will be a fun session about the what, why and how of miso.

I'll also be touching on a couple of other Japanese fermented foodstuffs! 

Hope to see you there. Cheers, Jane 

PS - thank you to hand model Tad McN! In the image above  you can see him in the beginning stages of his home-made miso crafting.