Recently found a fantastic English cookbook for Japanese food called
Bento Boxes: Japanese Meals on the Go by Naomi Kijima 2001 published by Graph-sha.
Many of the recipes are good for simple regular Japanese meals not just for bentos. (I have no financial interest in the book.)

Thank for the tip! I use the 'Bob and Angie' web site all the time for cooking Japanese basics. I like that their directions are simple and they include pictures.
Here's the link:
http://www.bob-an.com/recipe/English/index_e.html
Happy cooking! Karen