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!

Cabbage Cake (Torta de Repollo)

You know how I love trying new recipes...and Erica at My Columbian Recipes always seems to have such good ones. So here is another Erica inspired recipe. Torta de Repollo is a traditional Colombian recipe that can be served as a side or main dish. I made it as a main dish and added meat to it...just to be a little different, and I had some ground chicken to use up. I would love this a lunch, brunch or breakfast!

Ingredients

3 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)

2 shallots (or 3 scallions), finely chopped

3 cups sliced cabbage (1 head), cored

1/2 - 1 lb ground chicken (or pork )

1/2 lb monteray jack white cheese, shredded (you can use what you have like mozzarella or queso blanco)

1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder>

5 beaten eggs

1 cup of milk

1/2 cup of bread crumbs

1/4 cup fresh parsley

Salt and pepper

Method:

In a large skillet heat oil or butter and saute shallots until tender, about 5 minutes.

Brown the meat until no longer pink or the juices run clear.

Add the cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, transfer to a bowl.

Add the cheese, eggs, milk, bread crumbs, meat, parsley and seasoning and salt and pepper.

Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until is set at 350 F.

Serve with tomato sauce.

This is a tasty way to eat your cabbage. I have been trying to discover way to enjoy it and eating it more.

I am up In Michigan right now for my nieces wedding. They have had a late spring and the trees are just starting to bud here.

...but not in bloom yet...

...I thought I would share some of our Spring trees in bloom from Florida. The Jacaranda from my neighbors house is so pretty, and the ground gets covered in the same purple blanket. It is just about done now.

I was hoping to see all the beautiful flowering trees they have here. If I find some I'll post it later.

Have a great weekend.

Another way to use Chickpea flour ~ Cabbage Fritters

I think Indian households aren't the only ones that should have chickpea flour as a regular staple in their pantry. I have really enjoyed using it. Also known as gram (besan) found in Indian markets, or garbanzo bean flour that can be found in your health or natural food markets and even in some supermarkets. Many use it in gluten - free diets. I am keeping it on hand in my pantry from now on!
I have been using Bob's Red Mill brand and have found it in many stores near me. I think Walmart carries one that is garbanzo bean and fava bean blend. I haven't tried that one yet.
I found another recipe from Jay's blog Tasty Appetite this time she uses shredded cabbage. I happened to have a cabbage on hand and tried it right away. Cabbage Fritters are easy to make and oh-so-tasty!
I had some savoy cabbage so I sliced it thin, then cut it crosswise, in a nice loose chop. I made just a little adjustments to the original recipe. In a bowl I mixed:


1/2 cup chickpea flour
2 Tbsp rice flour
1 tsp green chili powder (New Mexico green Chile)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp celery seed (more or less)
a pinch of asafetida
salt and pepper to taste
oil to fry

To that add some water to make a thick batter. Then ...


...add the shredded cabbage about 2 cups, and mix well...


Heat oil in a skillet or frying pan. I made them into little patties and dropped them in the hot oil, I like to pan-fry rather than deep-fry, that is just my preference. Fry the fritters until they turn golden brown.
Drain the excess oil by placing the fritters on paper towels. Sprinkle a little sea salt over them while they are hot if desired.

Here is another yummy snack or side that you don't feel so guilty eating. It's a great way to get your kids to eat their cabbage or any veggie, my daughter liked them. So quick and easy and tasty. They went almost as fast as I made them.

We ate them just as they were like this, but I'm sure you could find many thing to dip them in.

I wanted to see how they would be it I just dropped then into the oil and fried them like this.

It was good that way too, but I think I prefer the first way in the little fritter patties.

Of course doesn't frying make everything taste good? This is a double goody with the benefits of garbanzo bean flour and cabbage so I think it balances out don't you?

My sister and niece are flying in to night for a week long visit. My parents rent a place out on the key for a month, so they stay with them. I know it only takes 4 minute to drive there from my house. They are right there at the beach. It will be nice for them to get out of the snow for awhile. I hope the weather keeps up like it has been for them, it's been in the 70s F. It's nice having family around.

Steamed Pork Dumplings - Cultural Connection

It's the third Saturday and time for my Cultural Connections post over at Our Krazy Kitchen . Today I am doing steamed dumplings, so I hope you can join me over there and check it out!
My friend is starting a series "Meet The Bloggers" I am her first guest being interviewed on Robyn's Nest if you would like to get to know me a little better you could visit there as well.


INGREDIENTS
100 (3.5 inch square) wonton wrappers
1 lb ground pork
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon grated lemongrass
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
4 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1 egg, beaten
1 cup finely shredded Chinese cabbage (I used less)

..DIRECTIONS
1.In a large bowl, combine the pork, ginger, garlic, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, egg and cabbage. Stir until well mixed.
2.Place 1 heaping teaspoon of pork filling onto each wonton skin. Moisten edges with water and fold edges over to form a triangle shape. Roll edges slightly to seal in filling*. Set dumplings aside on a lightly floured surface until ready to cook.
3.To Cook: Steam dumplings in a covered bamboo or metal steamer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately. These also freeze well and you can heat them in a pan to make potstickers

Korean Sushi

Okay it's been so crazy here. Getting ready to drive to the frigid north for Christmas. Having everything before school got out on Friday, for both my school and Maranda's. Cookies?...ha! I had some dough I pulled out of the freezer and baked. Was at Old Navy at 7 AM to pick up some $1 fuzzy socks and $3 micro fleece shirts so we can survive next week. Drove down to Port Charlotte to get Maranda's laptop because the Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton stores were all sold out. She wants it before the trip, and it was for her birthday/Christmas combined. Now I have to get tires put on and need to go downtown Sarasota and wait an hour by myself, because I just dropped Maranda off at the mall to meet her friend.

So I thought I'd share my lunch with you. We love Korean Sushi. It's so colorful and good for you. Maranda loves it too (but she's not getting any, she's at the mall)

Well, there is a lot here. Someone will get it for leftovers!

We get it at the Asian store that is just around the corner from us. The owner is Korean and they have classes to teach Korean cooking. Saturday is the only day they have the sushi available. I want to learn how to make it. She's the one that showed me how to make the fresh spring rolls!

Have any of you made sushi, or Korean sushi?