Quick & Easy Tsukemono: Japanese Pickling Recipes    by Ikuko Hisamatsu Order:  USA  Can Kodansha International, 2005 (2005) Softcover     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth This lovely new cookbook opens, Among the many authentic flavors of Japan, tsukemono, or pickled vegetables, have been a must for everyday meals and with tea.' It continues, 'The term tsukemono covers a wide range from a marinated salad to preserved foods.' As does this cookbook cover a wide range of wonderful recipes to delight your family and friends - and you. I've discovered you don't have to have a strong ethnic background to taste and appreciate foods from other cultures. Tsukemono is one example. The first few pages deal with explanations as to exactly what tsukemono is and what you will need in the line of utensils to prepare it. Then on to recipes. Aside from the ingredients, the photographs alone would be enough to tempt you to start preparing tsukemono. Daikon radish is used for pickling, in malted rice, in soy sauce, Korean style, with Chinese peppers and Osaka style. Cabbage can also be used in many ways, as in: Stir-Fried Chinese Cabbage, Rolled Chinese Cabbage, and Salted Chinese Cabbage. Pickled Plums catch my eye, as does the Sweet and Sour Rakkyo Shallots. The eggplant dishes will probably be my first choice – any one of them. Mustard Eggplants, Kneaded Eggplants, Marinated Eggplants. All are intriguing, different to the American palate and delicious. A myriad of recipes using mushrooms, peppers, garlic shoots, cauliflower, kumquats, lotus root, cucumbers, ginger, and sauerkraut are waiting to be discovered – and enjoyed - in Quick & Easy Tsukemono. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews