Mini Okonomiyako
INGREDIENTS:
2 large zucchini coarsely grated
2 tbs onion grated and chopped finely
¾ cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 eggs lightly beaten
2 tbs olive oil
6 rashers of rindless bacon
2 tbs bbq sauce (see smoky ribs recipe)
kewpie mayonnaise
packet of fried noodles
“THESE ARE BITE SIZED VERSIONS OF THE FULL SIZE PANCAKE. THEY ARE EASIER TO MAKE AND CATER WELL FOR A CROWD - DON'T FORGET THE TRIMMINGS FOR A STUNNING LOOKING DISH”
Place the zucchini and onion in a bowl with one teaspoon of salt. Toss to combine and then set aside for at least 20 minutes to draw out the liquid. Squeeze out the excess liquid and discard.
Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the egg and 2 tbs of cold water, then season lightly and whisk until thick and smooth. Add the zucchini mixture and stir to combine.
In the meantime, cut each rasher of bacon in half and lay on baking paper in a shallow baking dish. Cover with another sheet of paper, and then press another baking dish on top of the first tightly. Cook bacon in a 180 degree oven for 20 minutes, then remove to a tray.
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Working in batches, drop tablespoons of the batter into the pan and cook for two minutes until the the base has set. Press a half rasher of bacon onto the top of each pancake, and turn over carefully to cook the other side until golden and brown.
To serve, top each pancake with one tsp of BBQ sauce. Scatter over the noodles, and then drizzle with stripes of the kewpie. Finish off with thinly sliced spring onion if you wish.
Makes 12 - an entree for four
STEP ONE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. IF YOU DON'T GET RID OF THE LIQUID, IT WILL ALL JUST TURN TO GUNK. THE STAR OF THE SHOW IS THE PANCAKES, BUT THE NOODLES AND THE KEWPIE REALLY BRING HOME THE JAPANESE FEEL TO THE DISH. YOU CAN ALSO DO MEDIUM OR LARGER PANCAKES IN THE SAME WAY IF YOU DESIRE.
IF MAKING LARGER PANCAKES. THEN YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ADD TWO HALF RASHERS OF BACON TO THE TOP SIDE BY SIDE.
Simple and impressive.