Tonkatsu = Delicious

Ever heard of Tonkatsu? Its a breaded pork dish that is one of the more home-style Japanese meals out there. My husband loves it and with a little advanced prep it can be easy to make. This includes the sauce. 

Look at that yummy meal! Oh I am salivating....

So we start with boneless pork chops, cutting them nice and thin. Then we sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper.

Then you take your panko. A special bread crumb that is more coarse and makes for a crispier coat to your pork.

Coat your sliced pork with flour, dip in egg and them coat with the panko. Set aside till each are ready to fry.

Then lightly fry in oil over the stove until they are golden brown. 

For those who want to make large batches for future dinners you would only cook to set and the set aside to cool. Then flash freeze for future baking.

Then you would pop them into a 350 degree oven, frozen and cook until golden brown. 

If you are just frying some for a meal and not freezing, when you are done, set aside on a napkin lined cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven while you make the sauce.

Now the sauce is what really makes this dish. You can buy it at the store, or you can make it from simple ingredients that you might likely already have in your home!

Tonkatsu Sauce

3 Tbs - Worcestershire Sauce

2 Tbs - Ketchup

1 tsp - Soy sauce

6 Tbs - Natural Applesauce (no sugar added)

The secret is indeed the applesauce. YUM.

This sauce will store in the fridge for a week. Drizzle it over you meal for a tasty contrast.

Its also a meal the little ones will love too! I hope you try it out. Everyone could use a home cooked Japanese meal in their recipe archive!

Buen Provecho!

~ Misguided Maiden

Reading

My husband and I LOVE to read. 

So when I see our little guy taking on the same habit it makes my heart melt.

Getting lost in a book is the best way to stir the imagination. 

I can see my son's dialogue changing, his comprehension of things growing and his imagination blossoming. 

I hope you take time to get lost in a book this week.

~Misguided Maiden

Out in Nature: Setting up our fort

With this beautiful weather It was time to take our fort outside for a snack and some fun!

Of course our toy car had to come out with us... Specifically Lighting McQueen.

And we needed out cute and furry body guard.

Lastly, a lady bug surprise made this outing the best part of his day (he loves lady bugs).

I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors this week!

~ Misguided Maiden

In the Kitchen: Salad Beets

Not too long ago I was paying a visit with my parents. You know...so they can see this guy.

Well my mom made an awesome dinner (as she usually does) and in the salad were these beautiful and delicious beets.

As I devoured that salad and asked my mom where she bought the beets?
They were the cooked kind mind you.

She said...I made them in the oven. WHAT?!!?

So when I got back home I did too.

They were oh so good.

Beautiful, delicious, cheap and easy. Enjoy!

Salad Beets

Beets, Washed and patted dry

Water and Sugar

Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees.

Place the beets in the oven and allow to slow cook for two hours. Remove and cool.

Peel beets and slice them to your desired thickness.

Place them into the container, storing them in sugar water at your desired sweetness.

They will keep in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.

Buen Provecho!

~ Misguided Maiden

Farewell...

So... much has been going on and I apologize for not being on here for sometime (I think my last post said something similar). Much has been occuring in the home and out of them home. I will post and update and get back into the swing of things soon. For now, I want to post something that I have been meaning to post for sometime.

Not too long ago we had to say goodbye to our youngest cat Mary Jane. She had a vigorus cancer at the base of the pelvis and we worked hard to fight it within reason to her well being and quality of life (including pain management). Unfortunately, she told us in was time to go... so we took her in together and said our goodbyes. It was such a hard thing to do...saying goodbye to a friend who has been such an intergral part of our lives and our growth. We will miss our little friend, our little wild one.

Until we meet again...

Misguided Maiden

Happy Bleated Heart Day!

So I know I have not been on here for sometime (insert angry face here). Things have been a bit hectic at home. I resigned from my old job and started a new one a few weeks back and I am really enjoying it. After seven years in one job I was really ready for a change and I could not be happier about the choice.

In the meantime I have been adjusting to the new work schedule and enjoying time with family.

The weather in California has been wonderful so we have been spending lots of time outside, catching ladybugs, playing tag, tending to our chickens and just exploring.

I did make some time to decorate the home and make valentines for Davids party. I also had a time to do two very quick garland tutorials, which I will post here. I know its a little late but if you like them you can make them next year or make them now as heart decorations are good any time! 

Truthfully I have missed being on here and I hope to set aside more time to post more often. perhaps I will shoot for three days a week.

In the meantime, Happy Belated Heart Day!!!! 

Love,

Misguided Maiden