ハンバーグ – Hamburg
Yes, I did spell it right, this dish is called Hamburg. If pronounced in Japanese you would say it like this, HAM-BAA-GU. This is definitely a favorite for everybody! It’s not your regular meatloaf your mama makes for you at home, this is so much better.
Japanese cuisine is basically divided into two styles. WASHOKU 和食is Japanese traditional food and YOUSHOKU 洋食is Japanese food with a western twist. This recipe is a Youshoku dish and very easy to make. Don’t get mixed up with the Hamburger…there’s no bun here!!
Serves 2
250g ground meat
½ large onions
1 tbsp vegetable oil
¼ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
2 tbsp. milk
1 egg
1/3 tsp. salt
To taste pepper
My moms special Hamburg Sauce:
½ cup Ketchup
½ cup Bulldog Sauce (Tonkatsu Sauce)
1. Chop the onions into small pieces. Add vegetable oil in a frying pan on medium heat and add onions. Cook on medium heat for 6-7 minutes. Place in a dish and set aside.
2. Put the panko in a small bowl and add the milk. Mix. This is a tip to make this dish tender and juicy!
3. In a large bowl, add the cooked onions, panko mixture, ground meat, egg and salt and pepper. Mix well.
4. Divide the mixture in two portions. Add a little vegetable oil on the palm of your hands and take one of the portions and place it in your palm. Make a circular mold and transfer it back and forth into your hands to take the air out and to form the patty. Don’t make it too flat.
5. Place a frying pan on medium heat. Add vegetable oil and place the patties on the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes. When brown in color flip. When the other side is brown, turn the heat to low and cover with lid for 5 minutes.
6. To check if the inside is ready, grab a toothpick and insert it into the middle of the patty. If the juices come out clear, then they are ready. If not, put the lid back on and cook for longer.
7. Serve with your favorite vegetable or salad.
Sauce:
This recipe is not the same without my mom’s special sauce. Keep the pan with all the juices from the meat and heat on medium. Add the ketchup and Bulldog Sauce and mix well. The sauce is then poured right on top of the Hamburg. This sauce is best served HOT, otherwise the oil will separate.
