Crispy Pork Cutlets Tonkatsu With Shaved Cabbage Salad And Ginger Vinaigrette Recipes

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.

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.

CRISPY PORK CUTLETS

Steps:

• Place pork between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound pork with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/2 inch.
• Place pork pieces on a plate and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over pork pieces, lightly coating both sides. Pour eggs over pork, turning to coat.
• Transfer pork pieces to a bowl filled with panko bread crumbs. Press bread crumbs firmly into the meat on both sides. Transfer breaded cutlets to a clean plate, cover with plastic and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in pickles, jalapeno pepper, and green onions; cook and stir until onions have softened, about 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle in 1 1/2 tablespoon flour. Cook and stir for 3 minutes.
• Slowly stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons cold milk, whisking constantly. Stir in remaining milk, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Simmer on low for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Heat half the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 breaded pork cutlets and cook until pork is not longer pink inside, and the crust is well-browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining vegetable oil and pork cutlets.

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.