Pork Katsu Recipes

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.

PORK TONKATSU

Steps:

• Slash the fat rimming one side of the loin cutlet to keep the meat from curling when deepfried. Pound to flatten to about 1/4 inch. Salt and pepper both sides of each cutlet. Dredge each in flour, then dip into beaten eggs and press into bread crumbs to coat both sides.
• Heat a large skillet with about 1/2 inch of oil until hot. Lay 1 or 2 cutlets in the hot oil. Deep-fry until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes, turning them once or twice. Drain the cutlets on paper towels and cut the pork into bite-size strips that can be eaten with chopsticks.
• Arrange the pork on a platter lined with the shredded cabbage, and garnish with lemon wedges. Serve the sauce on the side for dipping, or pour it over the pork and cabbage.
• Prepare the recipe for Pork Tonkatsu, using 4 turkey cutlets, each about 1/2inch thick, in place of the pork loin.

TONKATSU

Steps:

• Place the pork chops between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound the pork with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a 1/4-inch thickness (about .75 cm). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour oil into a skillet about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the flour, egg, and panko crumbs in separate bowls. Coat each cutlet in flour, then egg, and finally in bread crumbs. Tap off any loose crumbs.
• Fry the cutlets until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

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.

PORK KATSU WITH PICKLED CUCUMBERS AND SHISO

Steps:

• Place the cucumbers in a colander set over a bowl. Toss them with 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon sugar.
• Place each piece of pork between sheets of waxed paper. Pound meat to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Place eggs in a large shallow bowl; whisk in the Worcestershire and tomato paste. Place the panko and flour in two separate shallow bowls.
• Season cutlets with salt and pepper. Dip each cutlet in the flour (tap off excess), the egg mixture (ditto), then dredge in panko crumbs.
• Heat a large pan, pour in 1/8 inch of oil and heat for 30 seconds. Working in batches, put cutlets in the pan. Immediately shake and tilt it so the oil rolls over the pork in waves (this will give it a lighter, crisper crust). Shake the pan occasionally, until cutlets are golden on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip them and shake again. Cook 2 to 3 minutes longer. Transfer pork to a paper-towel-lined platter to drain.
• Pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels. Toss with scallions, vinegar, shiso, soy sauce, sesame oil and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Serve cutlets with pickled cucumbers on the side.

PORK KATSU WITH QUICK CARROT PICKLES

Steps:

• Whisk together vinegar, water, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, shave as many ribbons as possible from carrots. Toss carrots and scallions with dressing.
• Lightly beat egg in a shallow bowl. Combine panko, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper on a large plate.
• Pound pork chops to 1/8 inch thick between 2 sheets of plastic wrap with flat side of a meat pounder or with a rolling pin. Season both sides with 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper (total).
• Coat with egg, letting excess drip off, then with panko, pressing to help adhere. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook chops (in batches if necessary), turning once, until golden and just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes total, adding remaining tablespoon oil if necessary. Drain briefly on paper towels and serve with carrot pickles.

PORK KATSU SANDWICH

Steps:

• Pork:
• Slice pork crosswise into 4 medallions. Place between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; gently pound with a meat mallet to 5"-wide pieces.
• Whisk koji, salt, and 1 cup water in a medium bowl until salt dissolves. Add pork; cover and chill at least 8-24 hours.
• Assembly:
• Drain pork (no need to rinse off koji if it sticks); set aside. Place cabbage in a medium bowl. Finely grate lemon zest over; slice lemons in half and squeeze in the juice. Season cabbage with salt. Using your hands, toss and squeeze cabbage until slightly wilted, about 5 minutes. Chill until ready to use.
• Place eggs, panko, and flour in 3 separate shallow bowls. Whisk 2 Tbsp. water into eggs. Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set a wire rack inside; place near stovetop. Working with 1 piece of reserved pork at a time, dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in eggs, letting excess drip back into bowl, then coat in panko, pressing to adhere before shaking off excess. Transfer to another rimmed baking sheet or a platter.
• Pour oil into a medium heavy pot to come 2" up sides. Heat oil over medium-high until an instant-read thermometer registers 350°-365°F. Carefully lower a piece of pork vertically into skillet, letting it slide away from you into oil until it eventually lies flat. Cook, using tongs to keep meat submerged in oil, until golden brown underneath, about 1 minute. Using tongs, carefully turn over and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 1 minute. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; immediately season with salt. Repeat with remaining pieces of pork.
• Drizzle tonkatsu sauce over cutlets. Spread mustard on 1 side of half of bread slices; top with cabbage mixture, then cutlet, sauce side up. Close sandwiches and slice each into thirds.

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.