Tonkatsu Japanese Fried Pork Cutlet Food

TONKATSU (JAPANESE PORK CUTLET)

Steps:

• Gather all the ingredients. For Tonkatsu, I highly recommend getting fresh panko (we call it nama panko) from a Japanese grocery store. If you can't get it, follow my instructions to make fresh panko. Make sure to use a Japanese brand of panko from Japan. Western "panko breadcrumbs" are a bit different from authentic Japanese panko.

TONKATSU (JAPANESE FRIED PORK CUTLET)

Steps:

• If there is connecting tissue separating red meat and a band of fat, cut the tissue every 2-3cm (1"). This will prevent the meat from curling when cooked. Lightly pound the pork to tenderise.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides of meat.
• Coat the meat with flour, egg, then breadcrumbs.
• Heat oil to 170C (338F) (note 2) and fry the meat for 2 minutes. Turnover and fry further 1.5 - 2 minutes (note 3) until it becomes golden brown.
• Turn over again and fry for about 1 minute until deep golden brown, then put aside on kitchen paper.
• Cut each tonkatsu into 2cm (¾") wide strips.
• If you are making tonkatsu for katsu-don, go to Katsu-don instructions.
• Serve with shredded cabbage and Bulldog tonkatsu sauce.

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.

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.

JAPANESE TAKE-OUT TONKATSU (FRIED PORK CUTLETS)

Steps:

• To make the sauce: Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until the sugar is dissolved. Let stand for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
• To make the tonkatsu: Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet to 360º.
• Pat the pork cutlets dry with paper towels, and make a few vertical slits on the outer rim of the cutlets to prevent them from curling when cooked.
• Season both sides of the pork with salt & pepper, and dredge with flour, shaking off any excess.
• Mix the eggs with 1 tablespoon water in a shallow bowl.
• Dip the cutlets in the egg, then coat in panko breadcrumbs. Gently slide the cutlets into the oil and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown, or just cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
• Cut each cutlet crosswise into 1-inch strips. Arrange on individual plates and garnish with cabbage and lemon wedges. Serve with a dish of tonkatsu sauce on the side for dipping. Accompany with rice.

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.