Book of Days Tales

On this date in 1868 as part of the Meiji reforms in Japan, the strict social codes enacted during the Edo period, (1603 to 1868 CE), were officially abolished. The Edo social regulations were intended to promote stability, and for some time they did. But the system also contained the seeds of its own destruction in the face of internal and external pressures.  When foreigners think of traditional Japanese culture – including cuisine – they tend to think of the Edo period (kimonos, geishas, samurai). Yet the Meiji period probably had as much, if not more, influence on modern Japanese culture.

The Meiji period introduced numerous Western customs including clothing, governance, and cuisine.  Tonkatsu is a fried, breaded pork cutlet that mimics the breaded veal cutlets of Europe, but with a Japanese twist.  The breading is made of panko rather than breadcrumbs, and the cutlet is deep- rather than shallow-fried. Finally, tonkatsu is served with a special dipping sauce that varies immensely from cook to cook.  I’ll leave you to figure out how to make the pork cutlet – it’s simple if you can get panko.  The sauce is another matter.  It is very much east meets west.  Here is one version that is tangy.

Ingredients

1 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon mirin

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger  

1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

Instructions

Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk together.  Refrigerate overnight to let the tastes blend.  You can play around with the proportions to suit your own tastes.  Add MSG if you like; decrease the sugar; replace soy sauce with oyster sauce . . .etc.  Cook’s choice.