Lounge
April 8, 2015
Series, Nanae Ukata | Part 3: Flavors That Resonate
Part 3: "A Taste That Soothes"
By Nanae Ubukata (Text and Photos)
When I first encountered this book, I was captivated by its charming cover and picked it up. That was several years ago.
The other day, while tidying my bookshelves, I found a book by Chanson singer Yoshiko Ishii, "Under the Parisian Sky, the Scent of Omelets Floats." It's an essay collection filled with stories about dishes encountered in Paris, from omelets to egg dishes, meat, and salads. There are no photos or detailed descriptions of the food, only text and occasional small illustrations. The lack of visual detail allows the reader's imagination to run wild, conjuring not just the dishes but even their faint aromas. It's a comforting experience that brings a lasting sense of happiness.
Reading this book reminds me of my mother's bento boxes.
My mother's bento boxes were filled with my favorites: fried chicken, sesame-dressed spinach, simmered pumpkin, and apple rabbits. They were also colorful and visually appealing, with the red of tomatoes, the yellow of tamagoyaki, and the green of broccoli. She never used frozen foods, always making everything by hand. In that small box, she'd pack a variety of nutritious side dishes, carefully arranged so they wouldn't shift. But she packed them so tightly that anything sticking out above the box would get squashed when the lid was closed. The flavors would inevitably mix. My mother tried various tricks to prevent this, but they always ended up squashed anyway (which, in a way, reflected her personality, and I loved those bento boxes for it). Some might dislike the mingling of flavors, but for me, that's what a bento is, and it's incredibly delicious.
The dishes in the book are French or from various countries, completely different from the Japanese-centered bento my mother used to make.
The meals my mother made for me.
And Yoshiko Ishii, the author, was always cooking for someone, too.
A little bird bookmark. The way its head and tail peek out from the book is utterly charming.
Joyful and warm meals shared with family and friends. Whether in the kitchen at home, the living room, or under a vast, blue sky dotted with greenery... This book is brimming with wonderful anecdotes about meals that resonate with everyone, teaching us the joy of eating and the importance of cooking with heart. These stories heal the day's fatigue, allow us to open our hearts, and provide the energy and spirit for the day ahead.
At the end, in the book's afterword, it says, "I believe that delicious food is not necessarily expensive, but rather something made with heart." ...Indeed.
Under the Parisian Sky, the Scent of Omelets Floats
Author: Yoshiko Ishii
Publisher: Kurashi no Techo Sha
Price: ¥1,050
Dishes encountered in Paris and around the world, joyful and warm meals with family and friends. Wonderful anecdotes teach us the joy of eating and the importance of cooking with heart. Winner of the 11th Japan Essayist Club Award in 1963, this long-selling book continues to be read today.