Sesame Pork With Cabbage Food

CRISPY PORK CUTLETS (TONKATSU) WITH SHAVED CABBAGE SALAD AND GINGER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Soak the cabbage in ice water for 20 minutes. Drain thoroughly then spin very dry in a salad spinner (or pat with paper towels). Set aside.
• Meanwhile, carefully score the flat sides of the chops with a paring knife at 1-inch intervals, about 1/4 inch deep. Season with kosher salt and pepper.
• Heat 3 inches of oil in a large pot to 350 degrees F.
• Put the flour, eggs and panko in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season the flour with salt and pepper. Dredge each chop in the flour, shaking off the excess; dip in the egg, then dredge in the panko, pressing to help the crumbs adhere.
• Fry the cutlets in a single layer, working in batches if need be, until medium browned (not burnt), 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the cutlets to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and season immediately with sea salt.
• While the cutlets cook, combine the cabbage with the chives, lemon juice and salt in a large bowl and toss.
• Place each cutlet on a plate; add a pile of the seasoned cabbage and dress with the vinaigrette. Serve right away with some tonkatsu sauce, a smear of Japanese hot mustard on the edge of plate, lemon wedges and bowls of rice on the side, if you like.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a simmer. Add the carrots and cook for 1 minute. Drain then immediately plunge in ice water. Drain again, then place in a blender. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Season with salt and white pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 week. Makes 3 cups.

SAUTEED SESAME CABBAGE

Steps:

• In a saucepan or fry pan, put the oil, half the sesame seeds, the soy sauce and the red pepper flake on a medium high heat. Heat the oil to a light sizzle and until the sesame seeds turn golden brown.
• Put the cabbage in the pan and turn it in the heat until it wilts, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining sesame on top of the cabbage, toss to coat and serve.

SESAME-CRUSTED PORK CUTLETS WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Submerge the cabbage in a large bowl of ice water to crisp while you make the pork.
• Place the sesame seeds in a large resealable plastic bag and pound using a rolling pin or skillet until coarsely crushed (alternatively, you can use a mortar and pestle). Transfer to a lipped plate or shallow bowl.
• Working with one piece at a time, put the pork in another resealable plastic bag and pound using a rolling pin or skillet until it is 1/4-inch thick (don't skimp on this step; it's important that the pieces are thin). Transfer to a plate, salt lightly on both sides, then repeat until all pieces have been cooked.
• Dredge the pork cutlets fully in the crushed sesame seeds.
• In a large skillet over medium-high, heat 1/3 inch of oil until shimmering. Gently lay the cutlets in the pan, working in batches as necessary. Fry until golden brown on one side, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and continue to cook until golden brown and cooked through, another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat until all pieces have been cooked.
• Drain and dry the cabbage thoroughly (a salad spinner works well here). Serve each cutlet with a pile of cabbage, a squeeze of lemon over everything and more lemon wedges on the side. Season with salt to taste and serve at once.