Thursday, May 26, 2016

OKONOMIYAKI: Japanese Veggie Pancake

Two years ago, my Japanese student made a presentation about OKONOMIYAKI in our class. I admit I have forgotten how it looked like. I couldn’t imagine how it tastes and smells until she came here this year to visit me all the way from Tokyo.

In Baguio, I find it difficult to buy ingredients for any Japanese cuisine except for instant food. But to my surprise, OKONOMIYAKI’s ingredients can be found in the public market. I was worried we might spend much for this but 250.00 was more than enough.

So now, let me show you how to make a simple yet authentic Okonomiyaki. Oops. Let me rephrase that. My Japanese friend Maiko Shikato is here to demonstrate how to make this oozing Japanese pancake. I realize that the only way to perfect this recipe is through the hands of a Japanese.
Maiko: the Chef

Here are the ingredients: (Maiko said these are incomplete, but enough to achieve the exact taste)


Pork (thinly sliced), or bacon (if you hate slicing meat)
A head of cabbage (shredded)
Minced ginger
A cup of flour
Water (enough to make the flour fluffy)
2 eggs
2 tbsp of Oyster sauce (we couldn’t find the real sauce, but this is okay)
1 tbsp of Soy sauce
           onion leeks (shredded)
           A pinch of pepper and saltCooking oil
           Mayonnaise (plain)
    

PROCEDURE:
1.   In a bowl, spread a pinch of salt and pepper on the meat. Mix them in.


2.  In another bowl, sift together flour, eggs, and ginger. Add water gently until the batter becomes smooth. Then add cabbage, cheese, and onion leeks and mix all them together.  
 


3. SAUCE: mix soy sauce and oyster sauce and set it aside. You can add more tablespoons for each depending on your taste.

4. Go back to your meat. Heat cooking oil in your frying pan. Fry the meat until it turns brown. But don’t put them all at once. Remember, you are making a pancake here.
The chef is serious.  ^^
5. When the meat turns brown, get a spoonful of your vegetable mixture and spread them on the meat. At first, you will be challenged from making a round shape. Good luck.

6. Turn them over when you see bubbles popping out. Turning them over is another challenge. Don’t be frustrated if they split up.

7.  Wait for a minute or two, and then place them on a plate. Spread the sauce on the pancake and design it with mayonnaise.
Making the round shape is quite tough. Any shape will do. ^^

8.  Dig in!

Maiko: You can also add potatoes, shrimp, and other ingredients of your choice.

A week after she left, I made one. I didn’t add a new ingredient because I might ruin it. Luckily, it tasted the same.


Thanks to my friend Maiko. I can now include Japanese recipe in my cookbook. You don’t need to spend much money and time finding the exact recipes. Take it from Maiko. 

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