Monday 19 November 2012

FRIED TAKOYAKI BALLS


My taste buds are honed to love eastern food. I usually cook Asian food at home so my children are accustomed to that taste, too. 

One of the cuisines that has remained unexplored is Japanese cuisine. We love Japanese food but we usually have to eat it in restaurants. The only reason for that is Japanese ingredients are not readily available in our area. Sadly, there is only a small selection in our Oriental supermarket so I can only make a few basic recipes. I also have to forego of ingredients that I cannot use again or those that are too expensive.

For some time now I have been exploring the idea of making takoyaki balls without a takoyaki pan. I love those little things but I can't/won't buy a takoyaki pan. That is one kitchen gadget I can do without.

I won't go through the details of my lengthy takoyaki experiment but I will explain briefly how I came with the final recipe. 



Takoyaki batter is quite thin and only forms a perfect ball in the half dome molds they are cooked in. After trying to cook the batter in many different ways without success, I decided that it is the batter that needed changing. Simply adding flour to the recipe will make the balls too doughy which is not quite the right consistency. I cooked a flour and water paste before adding the rest of the ingredients. This puffed up into a soft ball that is not exactly the same as the Japanese takoyaki but has all the flavours that I love about it. I simply garnished it with wasabi mayo, pickled ginger and snipped nori seaweed.

There are only a few authentic Japanese ingredients here but those could be substituted with other ingredients to get a similar tasty ball. Prawns or crabmeat can be used instead of the octopus. If you can't find dashi powder, substitute it with half of a fish stock cube (crumbled). It won't be the same but it will work, too.

The outcome was certainly more than pleasing. 


Ingredients:

(for 16-20 takoyaki balls)

1 c. water
2 tsps. dashi powder
1 tbsp. Japanese soy sauce
2 tbsps. oil
3/4 c. plain flour
2 eggs
1/2 c. of cooked octopus or squid, roughly chopped
1 c. roughly chopped cabbage
1/4 c. chopped spring onions
2 tbsps. chopped pickled red ginger (or 1 tsp. grated fresh ginger)
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
cooking oil for frying

Method:

In a sauce pan, mix 1 c. of water with the dashi powder, soy sauce and oil. Mix in 1/2 c. of the flour until free from lumps before putting it on the heat. Cook on low heat while stirring constantly, until thick. 

Transfer to a mixing bowl and whisk in the two eggs and the rest of the flour until thoroughly combined. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix. 

Heat the oil in a pan to medium hot. Use a small ice cream scoop or a spoon to drop portions of the mixture into the oil. The batter will initially be a rough shape and sink to the bottom of the pan. It will then rise to the surface of the oil and puff up into a ball. Nudge the balls with a slotted spoon to cook evenly. Cook for about 4 minutes or until well puffed and golden brown.

Drain on kitchen paper. 

Serve with the wasabi mayo.

For the wasabi mayo:

Mix 1/3 c. of mayonnaise with 2-3 tsps. of ready prepared wasabi. Top the takoyaki balls with a small dollop of mayo and decorate with pickled ginger and nori seaweeds. You can also use chopped chives or parsley for decoration.


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13 comments:

  1. I usually on the look out on how to organize up my photos by putting watermarks, collage, etc and still looking out for designs for it. The memories suite software has so much to offer. Hopefully i am selected to win for this software. The tako looks so delicious...now I can make this at home instead of buying and my family can enjoy this as well.

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    1. This software is fun and so easy to use, Mel. You have a chance to win it. Find out on Monday.

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  2. Hi, Adora - The My Memories Suite Software looks easy to use with its professionally-designed templates and intuitive steps. And yet, in spite of the pre-designed templates, it gives you the flexibility to customize your pages according to your style. So your personality shines through! On the subject of takoyaki, I love them! I live in the San Jose, CA, and I would go all the way to Japantown in San Franciso just to get a bite of these yummy seafood balls.... hot off the grill! Your recipe is a heaven-sent because now I can make these tasty treats right in my own kitchen. Thanks!

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    1. Hi Gina. The software is indeed very flexible. You can customize the templates or use a blank canvas or just put graphics on photos. I hope you try out the takoyaki balls recipe.

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  3. I've never had takoyaki balls, but just your pictures convince me of how very delicious that are and then, the list of ingredients - of course I'd love these. Squid is a favorite of mine and I've never had a squid dish I didn't like. Thanks for sharing the recipe and these gorgeous pics!

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    1. Thanks for the kind comment MJ. I like squid, too, in any form.

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  4. it's so amazing how you can make balls (takoyaki)look lovely and desirable .... :-)

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    1. Thanks for coming by, Boyet. Glad you're back in circulation.

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  5. I've never even tasted octopus or squid but this looks delicious. I'd be willing to try this!

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    1. Hi Ruby! The octopus or squid can be replaced with anything you like or even omitted for a vegetarian version.

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  6. I've always loved takoyaki but never made it, after reading this post and looking at the beautiful pictures...I'm inspired!

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