Sesame Tonkatsu

This recipe came about as part of my engaged determination to really master pork.  It is just so easy to over cook pork especially without a grill.  This is an adapted recipe from The Culinary Chronicles cooking blog.  I made this for a lovely girls dinner with my two best friends Katie and Elisa, it had been way too long since we all got to hangout together so what better way to make the night more awesome than to cook them a feast!  Might I add that the next day we all went floating down the Clackamas River and it was amazing...felt like the first real day of summer on July 24th...ugh Portland needs to get some real (hot) weather!

Serves 3

The Ingredients
For Pork:
4 pieces pork loin, 1/2 inch thick
1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
3 tablespoons sesame seeds (black are great if you have them)
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and Pepper

For Sauce:
2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 clove garlic, pressed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

The Process
1.   First in a small bowl (for the sauce) mix together the BBQ sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, and pepper.  Set aside and let flavors combine.

2.  In a medium bowl whisk together the milk and eggs and set aside.  In another bowl pour the flour in.  And in another bowl mix together the panko bread crumbs and the sesame seeds.

3.  Take pork loins and tenderize with a meat mallet (about 5 hits per chunk), then salt and pepper each side of the meat.

4.  In a semi-deep large skillet heat up canola oil over medium-high heat.  While oil is heating prepare the pork.

5.  Preparing the pork: first coat the pork in flour (wipe off excess), then dip the pork in the egg/milk mixture.  Next roll the pork in the panko/sesame seed mixture and make sure to coat the entire piece of meat.  Repeat this process with the other three pieces of meat.

6.  When oil is hot add the coated pork pieces to the pan, takes about 2-3 minutes per side to cook (should be golden-brown).  When done cooking dab off excess oil with paper towels.

7.  Serve with the sauce drizzled over the top.  And EAT!

I also made roasted broccoli to go with the sesame tonkatsu and it was delicious!