Simple Tofu Katsu: Crispy Japanese Tofu Cutlet

2023年11月1日

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This tofu cutlet is the crunchiest! And it’s one of the best of each worlds. Get the feel and flavors you like from panko breaded Japanese tonkatsu – however hold it on the more healthy facet with this simple vegetarian tofu katsu (cutlet). Drizzle with tonkatsu sauce (I’ve bought a recipe for that as nicely!), or serve in katsu curry. Plus I’ll present you a easy, foolproof methodology for draining extra water out of your tofu so it doesn’t splatter once you fry it. You’re gonna love this one!

Prepare for the crunch!

What’s Katsu

Katsu is the Japanese phrase for cutlet. It mostly refers to a panko breaded and fried pork cutlet (tonkatsu) – or a fried rooster cutlet (torikatsu).

In Japan, fried katsu is often served with shredded cabbage and tonkatsu sauce – or as a meaty part on a plate of Japanese curry rice (katsu karē).

What’s Tofu Katsu

Whereas the preparation is identical as conventional Japanese fried cutlets, tofu katsu merely signifies that additional agency bean curd is used because the protein as a substitute of meat.

The flavour, crunchy texture – and the simple similarities to conventional katsu – will shock you in the easiest way!

Tofu Katsu Elements

Further-Agency Tofu: Silken, gentle or medium tofu will probably be too gentle for katsu tofu. It must be extra-firm in order that it holds as much as being dealt with – and is substantive sufficient to imitate a meaty texture. You’ll want to test the recipe steps for particulars on methods to correctly drain water from agency bean curd.
All-Function Flour: Very like a pork or rooster katsu, you’ll dredge the tofu cutlets in flour earlier than the eggwash.
Salt and Pepper: These widespread family spices are combined in with the flour to impart a little bit of taste. Use 1/2 tsp kosher salt you probably have it useful.
Egg: That is your binding agent for the cutlets. Beat one massive egg. If you’re making a vegan tofu katsu, sub out the egg for a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon floor flaxseed combined with 2 1/2 tbsp water. Let sit for five minutes complete time earlier than utilizing).
Dijon Mustard: This sharp and spicy mustard is ideal for a little bit of added tang. Whisk 1 teaspoon in along with your egg simply earlier than breading the cutlets.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Meals fried with these Japanese breadcrumbs stays crunchy longer. We’ll speak extra about panko in only a sec.
Cooking Oil: Use a impartial oil for this katsu tofu. Vegetable oil or grapeseed oil will do properly.
Tonkatsu Sauce: This iconic sauce will get a savory, tangy and candy taste profile from soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and ketchup. It’s non-compulsory – but it surely’s so scrumptious. Make your personal at dwelling with 4 components (test the video right here)!

What’s Panko

Panko is the Japanese phrase for breadcrumbs created from Japanese milk bread (shokupan). The bread is flaked into massive dried bits that don’t pack collectively as carefully as finer breadcrumbs.

Utilizing panko breadcrumbs ends in fried meals which have a light-weight, crispy, ethereal crunch. And meals fried with panko tends to retain the crunch for for much longer with out getting soggy.

You possibly can make your personal panko breadcrumbs at dwelling with this recipe. For those who make your personal, remember to retailer them in an hermetic container. Alternatively, it’s pretty simple to search out panko at most grocery shops today – or you’ll be able to seize panko on Amazon.

The right way to Make Tofu Katsu

Prep the Tofu: Wrap the tofu block in paper towels and place on a plate to empty. Place one other plate (or a heavy guide) on prime of the tofu so as to add weight. Go away for half-hour. This brings out extra moisture. After half-hour, unwrap the tofu and slice in half, lengthwise. Then slice every half widthwise (this can depart you with 4 equally portioned items). Wrap every bit with a paper towel and depart for an additional 5 minutes.
Portion the Breading and Egg Wash: Place your flour in a shallow bowl (one sufficiently big to accomodate the tofu cutlets), stir within the salt and pepper, then put aside. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg (or vegan flaxseed egg) together with the mustard. Set that dish subsequent to the flour. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a 3rd bowl and set it subsequent to the egg combination.
Warmth the Oil: In a deep massive skillet over medium-high warmth, add the cooking oil.
Coat the Tofu: Whereas your oil is heating up, seize a tofu steak and dip it within the bowl with the flour. Be sure that all sides are evenly coated. Subsequent, dip the identical tofu cutlet into the egg combination – and end by coating it within the panko breadcrumbs. Repeat these steps with the remaining tofu cutlets.
Pan Fry the Tofu Katsu: As soon as the oil is scorching (about 350°F), add the breaded tofu gently to the pan. Fry on both sides for two to three minutes till golden brown. Do that for all sides (together with the sides). Flip the warmth off and permit to empty on a plate coated in paper towels – or a wire rack.
Slice and Serve: Lastly, slice the tofu cutlets into thick strips. Serve with tonkatsu sauce, grain mustard – or atop Japanese curry rice.

What to Serve With Japanese Tofu Cutlets

A typical technique to serve any type of Japanese katsu is with tonkatsu sauce – alongside a mountain of shredded cabbage and a bowl of completely steamed Japanese rice. Listed here are a couple of extra concepts for good Japanese sides to make it a full meal:

And Verify Out These Different Scrumptious and Simple Japanese Recipe Roundups

Why This Recipe Works

It’s so crispy and filling. The tofu cutlets actually mimic a correct pork (tonkatsu) or rooster cutlet – with a mammoth quantity of crunch.
It’s versatile. Serve this tofu katsu nonetheless you’d like. Whether or not you you make your personal home made tonkatsu sauce, otherwise you purchase Bulldog model sauce – otherwise you gravitate to candy chili sauce or ketchup and mustard. Or as a crispy protein topper for salads. It simply plain works. And clearly tofu katsu curry is a scrumptious plug and play choice.
It’s simple. Frying pans stuffed with effervescent oil have a tendency to offer me a ton of tension. Splash burns are the worst. However for some purpose, this recipe presents little or no of the standard hazard. That’s most likely as a result of we drain the surplus water from the tofu block earlier than breading it.

The right way to Retailer Leftover Japanese Katsu Cutlets

Since these tofu katsu cutlets style finest when crispy, you’ll get pleasure from them essentially the most recent out of the frying pan.

That stated, in the event you do have leftovers, you’ll be able to retailer them inside an hermetic meals storage container within the fridge for as much as 2 days max.
Reheat them by inserting the tofu katsu in a scorching pan on the stovetop till heated by – or bake leftovers within the oven or air fryer at 350°F for about 10-Quarter-hour, till heated by.

Did you want this simple Japanese crispy tofu katsu recipe? Are there modifications you made within the kitchen that you simply want to share? Share your ideas and suggestions within the feedback part under!

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