Best Katsu Sando Recipes

KATSU SANDO

Steps:

• Place the flour in a shallow bowl. Whisk the egg with a small splash of water in another shallow bowl. Place the panko in a deep dish.
• Lightly pound each cutlet with a meat mallet, then generously season on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Dredge a cutlet in the flour, coating completely, then shake off any excess. Dip it in the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off, then coat with the panko, gently pressing so the crumbs adhere. Place the breaded cutlet on a plate and repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Heat 1/3 inch oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add 2 of the cutlets and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until almost cooked through but still pink in the middle, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a paper towel-lined platter, sprinkle with salt and tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 2 cutlets.
• Lay the bread on a cutting board in 2 rows of 4 slices. Spread each slice with butter. Squeeze about 1 tablespoon of the tonkatsu sauce over the 4 slices on the bottom row. Top each with some cabbage, then top with a fried pork cutlet. Squeeze about 1 more tablespoon of the tonkatsu sauce over each cutlet. Top each sandwich with the remaining bread.
• Set a flat platter or tray on top of the sandwiches on the cutting board, then lightly weigh it down with soup cans or similarly heavy items for about 5 minutes. Cut the sandwiches in half on the diagonal, wiping the blade clean between cuts.

PORK KATSU SANDO

Steps:

• Using the flat side of a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet, pound each pork chop until 1/4 inch thick and about 3 1/2 by 6 inches. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Put the flour, egg and panko in 3 separate shallow dishes. Dredge the pork in the flour, shaking off the excess, then dip in the egg and dredge in the panko. Set on a plate.
• Fill a large Dutch oven or other pot with 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat until it registers 350˚ F on a deep-fry thermometer. Add the breaded pork and deep-fry, turning once, until golden brown, about 4 minutes.
• Spread the tonkatsu sauce on 2 slices of bread. Top with the fried pork, more tonkatsu sauce and then the shredded cabbage. Spread mustard on the other 2 slices of bread and close the sandwiches. Cut in half.

KATSU-SANDO WITH SHAVED CABBAGE

Steps:

• For the tonkatsu sauce: Combine the ketchup, honey, jam, soy sauce, vinegar and Worcestershire in a small bowl and stir to mix together.
• For the karashi mayonnaise: Combine the mayonnaise, mustard and orange zest and stir to mix together.
• For the chicken or pork katsu: Arrange 3 shallow bowls or pans. In the first put the flour, seasoning with salt and pepper. In the second, add the eggs and whisk for 1 minute. In the third, mix together the panko, cornstarch and salt and pepper.
• Lay the cutlets first in the flour, dusting off any excess. Next, dredge the cutlets in the egg, again allowing the excess egg to drip away. Finally, dredge the cutlet in the panko-cornstarch mixture, applying a bit of pressure on the meat to ensure the breading sticks properly. Place on a baking sheet or platter and let sit for 5 minutes.
• In a large saute pan, heat the butter over medium heat until bubbles start to appear. Add the cutlets and pan fry until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Spread half the bread slices with the tonkatsu sauce and karashi mayonnaise. Top with some cabbage, a cutlet and the remaining bread and chow down!

PORK KATSU SANDO WITH HEARTY WINTER GREENS

Steps:

• For the katsu: Pound the pork loins out with a meat mallet or rolling pin between 2 pieces of plastic wrap to about 1/2-inch-thick and roughly the size of a piece of sandwich bread. Salt and pepper both sides.
• Set up a breading station: Place the flour and some salt in one shallow dish, eggs with a dash of water and a pinch of salt in the second dish and panko in the third dish. Working with one piece of pork at a time, coat the pork in the flour and shake off the excess. Dip in the egg and drain the excess, then dredge in the panko. (Make sure the panko coats all sides.) Transfer to a plate.
• Season the mayo: Whisk together the mayo, vinegar, gochujang, sugar and wasabi in a small bowl until smooth; set aside.
• Fry: In a 12-inch skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat to 325 degrees F. Place the pork in the oil in batches and fry, flipping halfway through, until both sides are golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Adjust the heat as necessary. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
• Assemble: Spread the mayo on the bread. Place the pork on one piece of bread and top with another. Trim the edges to create a square, crustless sandwich. The meat should be fully exposed on the edges, so that you can see the interior. Cut the square in half on the bias. Repeat to make another. Serve the sandos with the salad.
• For the salad: Whisk together the oil, vinegar and mustard in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the endive, frisee and mustard greens in a large bowl and add the vinaigrette; toss.