Food Friday- Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki comes from the Japanese words okonomi (as you like) and yaki (grilled).  It's basically a savory pancake with various toppings, popular in Japanese diners.  The toppings vary from region to region in Japan, but the basics are the same.  The recipe I used to make this is from All Recipes.  There are more authentic variations out there involving dashi stock (stock made from bonito flakes, which is basically dried fish flakes), and I'm not a huge fan of the fish flavor.  Here's what you'll need (this is for 4 servings, so I usually cut in half to serve 2 people)...

Ingredients

• 12 ounces sliced bacon
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 medium head cabbage, cored and sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced pickled ginger
• 1/4 cup tonkatsu sauce or barbeque sauce

Directions

My directions are a little different from the recipe linked.  Combine your water, eggs, flour, and salt, then add your shredded cabbage and ginger and toss until coated.  Heat your skillet to medium high, add about a tablespoon of cooking oil, then put 1/4 of the cabbage mixture in the skillet and form into a pancake-like shape.  Cut you bacon slices in half and cover the top of the pancake.  I brush a little of the batter on top of the bacon just so it will stick better when you flip it over.  Cook on each side for 5 minutes or until golden on outside.

Place pancake on a plate and let cool for a few minutes.  Now, you get to decorate it!  You can buy Okonomi sauce, but it pretty much tastes just like BBQ sauce.  I also add mayonnaise on top of mine.  I know a cabbage pancake with bacon and mayo sounds gross, but I promise it's yummy!!! Try it with a nice cold beer sometime and you'll love it.