Foodie Blogroll

Friday, May 6, 2011

Okonomiyaki - My first Attempt

Okay this is a fun thing to try over the weekend. As the title states this is my first attempt at making okonomiyaki, a savory pancake, also known as Japanese pizza. In Japan they have many restaurants that serve this and there are many ingredients and toppings that you can choose from...of course depending on what you like. I made it the way I would like it, but it's not as pretty as I'm sure you would get it in Japan.



Batter:



1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1/3 cup water or dashi(broth)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper

Whisk together ingredients to make the batter.



Filling:
1 1/2 cup cabbage - shredded
1 carrot - shredded
2 scallions - chopped
1 tsp ginger (grated) or 1 T pickled ginger
1/2 cup shrimp - small or chopped (I had frozen so I used that)
3/4 cup crab sticks - chopped


I didn't measure, I just dumped what looked like a good amount in the bowl.


Combine the filling and batter and lightly mix, not working it too much.



On a lightly oiled griddle over medium heat pour batter to about 1" thick. Cook about 5 minutes or until the edges crisp up a little. Now most recipes will call for a few slices of bacon to lay on top before you flip it, but I didn't have any on hand to do that...maybe next time. It looked nice and round...until I flipped it.



Gently flip it...probably best to use two flippers if you can. Cook the other side until center is stable and it becomes a nice golden brown on both sides. I slid it onto a plate like I would an omelet.

Top with:

tonkatsu sauce: which you can buy ready made in an Asian market or make your own...usually made with ketchup, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and sometimes onion juice, and mustard (that's the one I used) some will add sugar or corn starch to thicken it.( Or you could use oyster sauce, or worcestershire sauce)

Japanese mayonnaise: Kewpie mayo - I didn't try this because it was described as a little sweet, and I didn't want to pay the $5.99 for it until I knew what it tasted like. So Hellman's it was!



green nori flakes: or seaweed, I used a little furikake, my nori was it sheets used for sushi.



bonito flakes:


You can top with scallions, caramelized shallots or onions...or ...I don't know go crazy! What would you come up with to fill it or top it with?


The bacon would of been good on it if it crisped up when you lay it on top and flip it. I think the texture was a little heavy, or different than I am used to, but tasty. I think next time I will make small ones, and it would be neater looking and easier to flip when cooking.


...it was very filling...I tried to make it look pretty, but I didn't have any squeesy things to squeeze the sauce and mayo on with.


...again, good for a snack or meal, lunch or brunch!


...or next time I'll try this mix for Korean seafood pancake! The veggies look good in there!

43 comments:

  1. wow...great clicks with inviting recipe...wonderful try with good result Lyndsey..:)
    Tasty Appetite

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  2. Wow Lyndsey. You never cease to amaze me with your recipes. This sounds delicious and something new which is always great. I will keep this one in mind.

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  3. Jay - thank you so much. I'll try it again.

    Katrina - That is so nice of you to say, thanks! I do like trying new things especially if they are different - my sister thinks I'm crazy!

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  4. Looks like your first attempt was a winner!

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  5. Wow - I have never heard of this dish before but I bet it is delicious! I am also a Florida girl but I live on the East coast. I just signed up to follow your fabulous blog - stop by and visit sometime at www.theglamorousgourmet.com. Looking forward to your next delicious post - Cheers!

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  6. Belinda - thank you!

    The Glamorous Gourmet - thanks for stopping by and following. It's nice to meet you, hope you enjoy it here. I am always happy to hear any tips, comments or stories. I will be sure to check out your blog!

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  7. Wow Lindsey, you made it! It looks super delicious! Next time try add cheese too, you might like it :))

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  8. Arudhi - Thank you, I was thinking about cheese, but I wasn't sure. It does sound good I'll try adding it next time. Thanks for the visit.

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  9. I have not heard of this dish before, but you sure made it looks so home cooked and delicious!

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  10. Ahhh looks SO good! I've been wanting to try okonomiyaki for a while but couldn't get up the nerve. Yours looks delicious!

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  11. Very interesting. I need top expand my cooking horizons. :)

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  12. Interesting I have not heard of this before. Diane

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  13. I love Okonomiyaki and this is my boys favorite too. Must make this for them over the weekend.
    Happy Mother's Day to you, Lindsey.

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  14. I'm always amazed at your daring! Never heard of this, but it sounds delicious!

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  15. I have never heard of this and now I would really love a taste; keeping this recipe for sure; thank you Lyndsey.
    Rita

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  16. Jeannie - it is a fun recipe you can pretty much add what you like.

    Joanne - I would love to see yours when you make it.

    Ivonne - I think you have expanded...I've seen it on your blog!

    Diane - stop on over...I'll whip us up some!

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  17. Ann - that's nice...but isn't he supposed to cook for you on Mother's Day? You're such a good mom!

    TKW - thanks...I do have fun being daring, next I'll post some "fails". :D

    Rita - it's a nice recipe to add what you like, I think I'll make them smaller and add cheese next time.

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  18. Thanks to you I am introduced to japanese dishes I otherwise would never have known about! Since I would like to expand my knowledge of Asian food I am very interested and this dish looks like it would be easy to make and taste wonderful.

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  19. Joumana - thanks to you and your comments, it make me feel like it's worth posting. It's fun discovering new to you foods. I find many on your blog too.

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  20. I have never heard of this...but it sounds delicious and I definitely think it would be a great new food to make and try. That's one of the things I love so much about cooking...it's an adventure!!

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  21. Have never heard about this pancake...looks so tempting!

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  22. In all honesty, I know very little about Japanese food, but I've seen these on other peoples blog and i think they sound wonderful.
    *kisses* HH

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  23. Look really nice dear Lindsey, xx gloria

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  24. My first time having "okonomiyaki" was at Little Tokyo in LA @ Nijiya Market during the Tofu festival, I LOVED IT, I've tried to make it at home but never make it as good as they did sadly.

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  25. oh this looks so good :-) love your Asian dishes Happy Mothers day hugs Rebecca

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  26. It looks great! My partner loves okonomiyaki and we've used his mum's recipe to make them, but it's been so long since the last time! I think it's time to dish some up again :-)

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  27. This looks amazing! I just want to dig in. I've only had this at restaurants, I should try this at home someday!

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  28. girlichef, Angie, HH, Gloria - Hope you get a chance to try it. It's fun making it your way!

    Nathan - I would like to try it in a restaurant to see how they are supposed to be.

    Rebecca - thank you! :D

    Maria - I would love to check out her recipe.

    pigpigscorner - I wish I could try a restaurants version!

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  29. I've never heard of this. I dont know anything about Japanese cooking but it sounds very interesting.

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  30. That looks so delicious..gotta try this :)

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  31. It looks amazing. I am printing up the recipe. I am curious and want to try this.

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  32. Lyndsey...I've never heard of this one...so you taught me something new today...Very interesting recipe...I love Kewpie mayo...you should try it.

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  33. fun! i love okonomiyaki..it can smell a tad fishy at first but once i got used to it, the pancake itself is quite delicious!!

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  34. I have made many seafood type fritters but never a pancake, or one with a batter like this,,, interesting Lyndsey, will have to try it but I think I will add spices inside and not us so much condiments

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  35. What a fantastic thing to make. It looks great!

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  36. I never had this before - it looks incredibly good! Would love to try it!

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  37. Megan - that's what I liked about it ... it was a little different. I do love Japanese food!

    Sarah - hope you do and make it your way!

    Comfy - curious to see what you come up with!

    Bo - Good to know it might be worth trying kewpie mayo, is it sweet like Miricle Whip?

    LittleAsianGirl BigAppetite - yes...a little fishy with the bonito flakes, you can always leave them off!

    Drick - I was so tempted to put add some seasoning inside with the filling too. I think I will try it that way next time...and with cheese :D

    Pru - thanks

    Reeni - thank you.

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  38. I never tried them either but looks really fun adding any topping we like and so yum!

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  39. I have not had okonomiyaki for a while and you are making me crave it now. Yours look very good for a first attempt. It is nice that you added the bonito flakes.

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  40. I'm not familiar with this dish, but if it has shrimp and crab, it has to be delicious.
    Sam

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  41. Another Japanese recipe to add to my to-do! It does look full but stuffed with a lot of things I love! Well done

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  42. This looks wonderful! I love Japanese food, but I didn't know this dish....fantastic!

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  43. I'm so impressed- this looks great!

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