Gentle Baby Tonkatsu Rice Bowl for Children
Nutrient-Rich! Super Easy ‘Baby Tonkatsu Rice Bowl’ Recipe Your Child Will Love
A perfect one-bowl meal that even picky eaters will finish! Introducing a gentle Tonkatsu rice bowl, specially made for children by a working mom. It’s ideal for baby food or as a special meal for fussy eaters.
Main Ingredients- 1 Tonkatsu cutlet (Choose one with thin, soft breading suitable for babies)
- 1 Egg
- 30g Onion (approx. 1/4 small onion)
- 20g Green onion (white parts mainly, finely chopped for easy eating)
- 200ml Rice water or Dashi stock (easier on your baby’s digestion)
Seasoning- 0.5 Tbsp Low-sodium soy sauce (Use baby-specific soy sauce or dilute regular soy sauce)
- 0.5 Tbsp Mirin or Sake (alcohol evaporates during cooking)
- 0.5 Tbsp Oligosaccharide or Agave syrup (adjust sweetness to your child’s preference)
- 0.5 Tbsp Low-sodium soy sauce (Use baby-specific soy sauce or dilute regular soy sauce)
- 0.5 Tbsp Mirin or Sake (alcohol evaporates during cooking)
- 0.5 Tbsp Oligosaccharide or Agave syrup (adjust sweetness to your child’s preference)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the ingredients for the rice bowl in child-friendly bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the onion and finely chop the green onion. The tonkatsu will be cut later, so set it aside for now. Crack one egg into a bowl and whisk it thoroughly to create the egg mixture.
Step 2
It’s important to cook the tonkatsu until it’s tender for your child. You can deep-fry it until crispy, but using an air fryer is a great way to cook it through with less oil, keeping it moist inside. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-15 minutes, adjusting the time based on the size and thickness of the tonkatsu.
Step 3
While the tonkatsu is cooking, prepare the delicious broth that will form the base of your rice bowl. Pour 200ml of rice water or dashi stock into a pot and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low.
Step 4
Once the broth starts simmering, add half a tablespoon of mirin (or sake). Mirin helps to remove any unwanted odors and adds a lovely aroma. Don’t worry, most of the alcohol will evaporate during the cooking process.
Step 5
Next, add half a tablespoon of oligosaccharide (or agave syrup) for a gentle sweetness. You can adjust the amount based on your child’s preference for sweetness. It’s best to keep the seasoning from being too sweet.
Step 6
Finally, add half a tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce to enhance the umami flavor of the rice bowl. Since this is for a child, it’s highly recommended to use low-sodium soy sauce or dilute regular soy sauce with water. Reducing sodium intake is crucial.
Step 7
Stir gently with a spoon to ensure the added seasonings are well combined with the broth. All the flavors will meld together to create a delicious rice bowl sauce.
Step 8
Thinly slice the onion and finely chop the green onion into pieces that are easy for your child to eat. Prepping the vegetables like this will help shorten the cooking time.
Step 9
Crack the egg you prepared earlier into a bowl and whisk it well, making sure to remove the chalazae (the white cords) for a smoother egg mixture. Whisking with the tips of chopsticks will help create a lighter, fluffier egg mixture.
Step 10
Once the tonkatsu is fully cooked, cut it into child-friendly bite-sized pieces (about 1.5cm to 2cm). Cutting it too small might make it separate from the rice, so aim for a suitable size.
Step 11
Carefully add the cut tonkatsu pieces to the simmering seasoned broth. The tonkatsu will soften slightly as it simmers in the sauce. It’s best to simmer over medium-low heat rather than high heat.
Step 12
After adding the tonkatsu and letting it simmer briefly, slowly pour the prepared egg mixture around the edges of the pot. As the egg cooks, it will combine with the tonkatsu, creating an even more tender texture.
Step 13
After pouring the egg mixture, reduce the heat to very low and cook for about 30 seconds, either with the lid on or off. The key is to cook the egg just enough so it’s not overcooked and dry. Gently cooked egg is easy for your child to swallow.
Step 14
Serve the delicious, freshly made tonkatsu and sauce generously over warm rice, and your special ‘Baby Tonkatsu Rice Bowl’ for your child is complete! Your child will love enjoying tonkatsu with a mild sauce. Enjoy making it 🙂
