10+ Just One Cookbook Recipes for Easy Home Cooking

If you love trying new dishes and exploring different cuisines, Just One Cookbook offers a fantastic collection of Japanese recipes that are easy to follow. This resource is perfect for anyone looking to bring authentic Japanese flavors into their kitchen with simple ingredients and clear instructions.

From comforting ramen to delicate sushi, you’ll find a variety of options that cater to different tastes and dietary needs. Each recipe is designed to help you create delicious meals for any occasion, making cooking fun and enjoyable for you and your family.

Miso Soup

Miso soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that you can enjoy any time. It’s a staple in Japanese cuisine and is known for its simple yet satisfying taste. You can make it quickly, even on a busy day.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will typically need miso paste, dashi broth, and your choice of vegetables like tofu or seaweed. You might also want to add some green onions for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• Miso paste
• Dashi broth
• Tofu (cubed)
• Seaweed (wakame)
• Green onions (sliced)
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, combine the dashi broth and water. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add the cubed tofu and seaweed. Cook for a few minutes.
3. Stir in the miso paste until it dissolves completely.
4. Add sliced green onions and serve hot.

Enjoy your homemade miso soup!

Japanese Curry

Japanese curry is a comforting dish known for its rich flavors and thick sauce. It’s usually milder than other types of curry, making it a great choice for everyone.

You can easily customize your curry by adding different meats and vegetables. Popular choices include chicken, beef, and potatoes.

To make delicious Japanese curry, start by cooking your meat and veggies in a pot. Once they are tender, stir in the Japanese curry roux. This roux is a mix of flour, butter, and curry spices.

The sauce will thicken as it simmers. Serve it over rice for a complete and hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) chicken or beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 1 package Japanese curry roux
• 4 cups (950ml) water
• Cooked rice, for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, heat oil over medium heat.
2. Add meat and cook until browned.
3. Add onion, carrots, and potatoes; cook until tender.
4. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and add curry roux, stirring until dissolved.
6. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
7. Serve over rice. Enjoy!

3) Matcha Cheesecake

Matcha cheesecake is a delicious twist on traditional cheesecake. The rich flavors of cream cheese pair wonderfully with the earthy notes of matcha.

To start, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Choose high-quality matcha for the best taste. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 1/2 pound (225 g) cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons (10 g) matcha powder
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat the cream cheese in a bowl until smooth.
3. Add sugar and mix well.
4. Crack in the eggs and blend until fully combined.
5. Sift in the matcha powder and mix until no lumps remain.
6. Fold in the heavy cream gently.
7. Pour the mixture into a lined pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set.

Enjoy your creamy matcha cheesecake!

4) Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a delicious Japanese dish made from breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets. It’s known for its crispy outer layer and juicy meat inside. You will typically use pork loin or pork tenderloin for this recipe.

To get started, prepare your breading station with flour, beaten egg, and panko breadcrumbs. The panko gives tonkatsu its signature crunch. Make sure to season each layer to enhance the flavors.

When cooking, heat oil in a deep pan to about 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the coated pork into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, usually about 4-5 minutes on each side.

Once done, let the cutlets drain on paper towels. Slice them and serve with tonkatsu sauce for a tasty meal.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless pork loin chops
• Salt and pepper
• ½ cup flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Season pork with salt and pepper.
2. Dredge pork in flour, dip in egg, and coat with panko.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
4. Fry pork for 4-5 minutes on each side.
5. Drain on paper towels and slice before serving.

5) Yakitori

Yakitori is a popular Japanese dish featuring skewered and grilled chicken. It’s known for its delicious flavor and crispy texture. You can often find yakitori in small restaurants called yakitori-ya.

To make yakitori, you’ll need chicken, vegetables, and a special sauce called tare. This sauce is made with soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar, which gives the dish its sweet and savory taste.

Broiling is one effective method for cooking yakitori. You can set your oven to a high broil at 550ºF (288ºC). Place skewers under the broiler and cook for about 6 minutes, turning them once for even grilling.

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs (skinless)
• Soy sauce
• Mirin
• Sake
• Brown sugar
• Tokyo negi (or green onion)
• Shichimi togarashi (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the tare sauce by mixing soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar in a saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer until it reduces.
3. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
4. Place the skewers under the broiler for 6 minutes, turning once.
5. Brush with tare sauce while cooking for flavor.

6) Homemade Sushi

Making sushi at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can create various types of sushi to share with family and friends. Try classic rolls like California rolls or spicy tuna rolls for a delicious treat.

To start, you’ll need sushi rice. It’s essential for the right texture and flavor. Use Japanese short-grain rice for the best results. Once cooked, season it with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.

Gather your fillings. You can use veggies, cooked seafood, or even tofu. Remember to have nori sheets on hand to wrap your rolls.

Now you are ready to roll! Spread your sushi rice on the nori, add your chosen fillings, and carefully roll it up. Slice each roll into bite-sized pieces, and enjoy your homemade sushi!

Ingredients

• Sushi rice (e.g., 2¼ cups uncooked)
• Nori sheets
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt
• Fillings (e.g., avocado, cucumber, cooked crab)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the sushi rice according to package instructions.
2. Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt into the rice.
3. Lay out a nori sheet and spread a layer of rice.
4. Add your selected fillings.
5. Roll the sushi tightly and slice into pieces.

7) Onigiri

Onigiri are tasty Japanese rice balls that are easy to make. You can fill them with various ingredients like tuna, pickled vegetables, or even grilled salmon. They are perfect for a snack or a meal on the go.

To make onigiri, you start with Japanese short-grain rice. This rice is sticky and helps the balls hold their shape. You will need about 2¼ cups of uncooked rice, which will make several rice balls.

Once you have cooked the rice, let it cool slightly. You can then use your hands or an onigiri mold to shape the rice into triangles or balls. If you prefer, you can wrap them in seaweed for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups uncooked Japanese short-grain rice
• Fillings (like tuna, salmon, or pickled vegetables)
• Nori (seaweed), optional

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Soak the rice for 20-30 minutes.
3. Cook the rice in a rice cooker or on the stove with a water ratio of 1:1.1.
4. Once cooked, let the rice cool to a warm temperature.
5. Wet your hands, take some rice, and shape it into a ball or triangle.
6. Add a filling in the center, if desired.
7. Wrap with nori if using, and enjoy!

Ramen

Ramen is a delicious Japanese noodle dish that you can easily make at home. You can try various types, like miso ramen or spicy shoyu ramen, to suit your taste. Cooking ramen can take just about 30 minutes, making it a quick meal option.

To get started, you’ll need noodles, broth, and your favorite toppings. Common toppings include sliced chashu, green onions, and a soft-boiled egg. You can find authentic recipes that guide you step-by-step.

Ramen noodles are unique because they contain kansui, which gives them a special texture. This dish is comforting and perfect for a cozy evening at home. Whichever recipe you choose, you’ll enjoy a warm bowl of ramen that can bring a piece of Japan to your kitchen.

Ingredients

• Ramen noodles
• Broth (chicken, pork, or vegetable)
• Chashu (braised pork)
• Green onions
• Soft-boiled eggs
• Soy sauce or miso paste

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the broth over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
2. Cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions.
3. Slice the chashu and chop the green onions.
4. Assemble your bowl: add broth, noodles, and toppings. Enjoy!

9) Chicken Katsu

Chicken Katsu is a popular Japanese dish that features crispy breaded chicken. It’s simple to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.

To start, you’ll need chicken breasts, panko breadcrumbs, and a few seasonings. The panko gives the katsu its unique crunch.

You can choose to fry the chicken in oil for a classic version or bake it for a healthier option. Both ways create delicious results.

You can serve your Chicken Katsu with tonkatsu sauce for dipping. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tablespoon neutral oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tonkatsu sauce for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking.
2. Prepare three shallow dishes with flour, beaten egg mixed with oil, and panko breadcrumbs.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
4. Dredge chicken in flour, then dip in egg, and coat with panko.
5. Fry in oil or bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

10) Gyoza

Gyoza are tasty Japanese dumplings that you can enjoy as an appetizer or main dish. They are filled with a mix of vegetables and meat, then pan-fried to get that perfect crispy bottom.

You can customize the filling based on your taste. Common ingredients include ground pork, cabbage, and garlic. Experiment with different flavors to find what you love most.

To serve gyoza, a dipping sauce is essential. You can make one with soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil for a nice kick.

Get ready to impress your friends and family with your homemade gyoza!

Ingredients

• 1 package gyoza wrappers (about 52 sheets)
• ¾ lb ground pork (340 g)
• 2-3 leaves cabbage (140 g or 5 oz)
• ½ onion, finely minced
• 1 Tbsp neutral oil (like vegetable oil)
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Add neutral oil to the pan.
3. Place gyoza in the pan, flat side down.
4. Add water and cover for about 5 minutes to steam.
5. Remove the lid and cook until crispy.
6. Serve with dipping sauce.