Tonkatsu

I love tonkatsu. But, like everything else, there's good and bad. I am usually spurred on to try my own recipe out after eating really good food. So here's my take on a very simple Japanese dish: Boneless Pork Loin Chops (as many as you like, but I usually do 4-5) - They should be no thicker than 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick (1 -1.5 cm) and about 5-6 ounces or else they'll take forever to cook thoroughly and you'll end up with a dry cutlet. Panko bread crumbs (any brand will do, use your favorite) - I don't have a set amount of crumbs, I dump a bunch out onto a plate and refill it if I need more. Garlic Salt Kosher Salt Fresh Ground Black Pepper Soy Sauce Beaten Egg(s) - depending on how many chops you have Flour - also depends on how many cutlets you have Vegetable oil for frying 1. Prepare the pork cutlets by lightly sprinkling both sides with garlic salt and pepper. 2. Set up your "manufacturing line" put flour, eggs and panko all on separate plates, in that order, with the hot oil on the stove waiting at the end of the line. If you have one, try using a shallow plate that has sides on it for the beaten eggs. 3. I like to flavor my flour, eggs and panko with a little seasoning. Do not overdo it. A little goes a long way. For the flour, I sprinkle a bit of garlic salt and mix it. For the eggs, I add pepper and a dash of soy sauce and beat them together. For the panko, I add a dash of kosher salt. 4. Heat about 1-2 fingers high of oil on med-high to high heat in a deep frying pan. 5. Make some small cuts on the fat side of each chop, 1-2 should be good. This will prevent the cutlet from curling up when you are frying it. Now, take each chop, lightly dip into the flour and shake off any excess. Then dip into the beaten egg and cover the chop completely. Finally, dip into the panko crumbs and cover completely. Put the chop into the frying pan immediately to prevent the crumbs from becoming soggy. Repeat for each chop. If your eggs become too thick from the flour, just add another egg to thin it out. Each chop should be cooked well done, about 5-7 minutes each side (less if the chops are thinner). For deep fryers, you'll have to follow the manufacturer's suggestions on cooking times. 6. Serve with whatever you want (I like rice and broccoli) and enjoy! P.S.- Tonkatsu is traditionally served on a bed of raw, finely shredded cabbage, with rice, miso soup and possibly some kind of root vegetable in a bento. Also, katsu sauce is available pre-made from most Asian markets and some adventurous non-Asian markets. Tonkatsu is also often paired with curry. I don't like sauce on my tonkatsu, but most people do. Bon apetit!