Japanese Pork Katsu Food

JAPANESE PORK KATSU

Steps:

• Make the dipping sauce:.
• Stir together 1 T. of hot water and the soy sauce, mirin, worcestershire sauce, ketchup and mustard. Set aside.
• Prep the pork:.
• Place the pork cutlets between 2 sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap and pound them with a meat pounder until about 1/4 inch thick. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg. Spread the flour and panko on 2 separate plates. Season the flour with the salt and pepper. Also, season the pork cutlets with salt on both sides. Then dip the pork first into the flour, then the egg and last the panko (coating both sides). Press the panko into the pork so it stays put.
• Panfry the pork:.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just hot and then add the oil. Add the cutlets and fry, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and just opaque at the center (you don't want to overcook pork) - this should take approximately 5 minutes on each side.
• Tranfer the cutlets to paper towel to drain briefly, then cut across the grain into strips 1/2 inch thick.
• Serve with the dipping sauce and rice.

TONKATSU WITH HOMEMADE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: Stir together the ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mirin, sugar, Dijon and garlic powder in a small bowl. Set aside while you prepare the pork.
• For the pork: Put the flour in a shallow bowl. Whisk the egg with a small splash of water in a second shallow bowl. Add the panko to a deep dish.
• Lightly pound each piece of pork with a meat mallet, then generously sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge one cutlet in the flour, coating completely, then shake off any excess. Dip it in the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off, then coat with the panko, gently pressing it into the panko so the crumbs stick. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Heat about 1/3 inch oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add 2 of the cutlets and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip the pieces over and cook until almost cooked through but still pink, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer the cutlets to a paper towel-lined cutting board, sprinkle with salt and tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the 2 remaining cutlets.
• For serving: Slice the cutlets crosswise into 1/2-inch strips. Place a sliced cutlet on each plate along with a scoop of rice, a mound of cabbage and 2 tomato wedges and/or cucumber slices, if using. Drizzle the cutlets with the sauce and serve with extra sauce on the side.

PORK KATSU CURRY

Steps:

• Cook the rice as the label directs. Remove from the heat and set aside 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add 2 cups water, the carrots, turnips, broth, 3/4 teaspoon salt and
• a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil and add the curry mix; stir until combined. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook, stirring halfway through, until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir and add a little extra broth or water to thin, if needed; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Put the flour, beaten eggs and panko in 3 shallow dishes. Season the pork with salt and pepper. Coat a pork chop in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip in the egg, letting the excess drip off, then coat with the panko. Repeat with the remaining pork.
• Fill another large pot with 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 ̊ F. Deep-fry 2 pork chops until golden, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle lightly with salt. Repeat with the remaining 2 chops. Let rest 1 to 2 minutes.
• Divide the rice among bowls and ladle in the warm curry. Slice the pork and serve on top.

TONKATSU (JAPANESE PORK CUTLET)

Steps:

• Pound pork to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Coat with flour, then dip into egg, and finally coat thoroughly with Panko.
• Deep fry in 1 inch vegetable oil, heated to 350º, 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
• Serve on bed of shredded cabbage, for presentation.
• Serve with Tonkatsu sauce.
• NOTE: If you can't find Panko, you may use crushed corn flakes.

TONKATSU PORK

Steps:

• Remove the large piece of fat on the edge of each pork loin, then bash each of the loins between two pieces of baking parchment until around 1cm in thickness - you can do this using a meat tenderiser or a rolling pin. Once bashed, use your hands to reshape the meat to its original shape and thickness - this step will ensure the meat is as succulent as possible.
• Put the flour, eggs and panko breadcrumbs into three separate wide-rimmed bowls. Season the meat, then dip first in the flour, followed by the eggs, then the breadcrumbs.
• In a large frying or sauté pan, add enough oil to come 2cm up the side of the pan. Heat the oil to 180C - if you don't have a thermometer, drop a bit of panko into the oil and if it sinks a little then starts to fry, the oil is ready. Add two pork chops and cook for 1 min 30 secs on each side, then remove and leave to rest on a wire rack for 5 mins. Repeat with the remaining pork chops.
• While the pork is resting, make the sauce by whisking the ingredients together, adding a splash of water if it's particularly thick. Slice the tonkatsu and serve drizzled with the sauce.

KATSU PORK WITH STICKY RICE

Steps:

• To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion, carrot and apples. Cover and cook gently for 10 mins until softened, stirring a couple of times. Uncover the pan, turn up the heat, add the garlic and cook for 1 min.
• Stir in the curry powder and ginger. Cook for 1 min more, then stir in the tomato purée, honey, soy and cornflour. Gradually stir in the stock and simmer for 5 mins until the vegetables are totally soft and the sauce has thickened. Blitz with a blender or in a liquidiser until smooth, then season to taste with the sesame oil, salt and pepper. The sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead.
• While the sauce is cooking, put the pork between 2 sheets of cling film and bash with a rolling pin until the meat is about 1cm thick. In a shallow bowl, rub together the crumbs, turmeric and oil with some seasoning. Beat the egg white with a fork until a little frothy and have a non-stick baking tray ready.
• Put the rice in a saucepan with 400ml cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, cover, then simmer for 10 mins. Take off the heat and set aside until ready to serve the pork.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Dip each piece of pork into the egg, then the crumbs, pressing them onto the surface before transferring the meat to the tray. Bake the pork for 10-15 mins or until golden and crisp, turning once if needed. Serve with the rice and katsu sauce, garnished with coriander, if using, plus pickled ginger, if you like.

TONKATSU (JAPANESE-STYLE CRISPY FRIED PORK CUTLETS)

Steps:

• Place pork chops on a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Whisk egg and soy sauce together in a small bowl.
• Place flour on a small plate and panko in another. Dredge a pork chop in the flour, pressing it in using your fingertips to cover all crevices along the surface. Turn to evenly coat all sides.
• Dip the pork into the egg mixture, coating completely. Transfer immediately to the bowl of panko, pressing in to evenly coat. Repeat process with the second pork chop.
• Heat oil in a wide pan or wok on medium-high heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lower a pork chop into the oil. Fry until bottom side is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn; cook until other side turns golden and pork is slightly pink in the center, 2 to 3 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Pick up the cutlet and hold it on its side for a few seconds to let the oil drip off. Drain on a paper towel. Repeat with the second pork chop.