20 Japanese Bread Recipe Martha Stewart Deliciousness Awaits You!
Published on: Mar 25, 2024
Japanese bread, also known as "shokupan," is a staple in Japanese cuisine and has gained popularity worldwide due to its soft and fluffy texture. This versatile bread can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for various dishes, making it a must-try for any bread lover. In this article, we will dive into the world of Japanese bread and share a delicious Japanese bread recipe from the renowned chef, Martha Stewart.
One of the most beloved dishes in Japan, pork katsu is a crispy, breaded and fried pork cutlet that is usually served with a tangy tonkatsu sauce. It's a popular dish in Japanese households and also a staple in many Japanese restaurants around the world. The key to a perfect katsu is to use high-quality pork and to make sure the breading is crispy and not soggy. Here are some delicious beer can chicken recipes that put a unique spin on this classic dish.
2of 20
Japanese Milk Bread (Shokupan)
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Water, Whole Milk, Powdered Milk
Milk bread, or shokupan, is a soft and fluffy bread that is a staple in Japanese bakeries. It's made with a special technique that involves adding a tangzhong, or cooked flour and water paste, to the dough. This results in a bread that is incredibly soft and has a slightly sweet flavor. It's perfect for making sandwiches or just enjoying on its own. Try out these beer can chicken recipes that incorporate shokupan for a delicious twist.
If you're a fan of shokupan, why not take it to the next level and use it as a base for your beer can chicken? The bread will soak up all the delicious flavors and juices from the chicken, resulting in a perfectly moist and flavorful dish. You can also use shokupan to make croutons for a unique salad topping, or use it to make a delicious bread pudding for dessert.
Japanese pancakes, also known as soufflé pancakes, are a popular breakfast or brunch dish in Japan. These pancakes are thick, fluffy, and almost jiggly in texture. They're cooked using a special technique that involves steaming the pancakes in a pan with a lid on top. These beer can chicken recipes use the same technique to create a unique and delicious dish that is sure to impress.
Main Ingredients: Water, Granulated Sugar, Strawberries, Ice, Sweetened
Kakigori, or shaved ice, is a popular summer treat in Japan. It's typically served with sweet syrup and topped with condensed milk for a creamy and refreshing dessert. This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from this Japanese dessert by using condensed milk as a glaze for the chicken. The addition of strawberries adds a fruity twist to the dish, making it perfect for a summer barbecue.
6of 20
Easy Japanese Shokupan Milk Bread
Main Ingredients: Bread Flour, Sugar, Active Dry Yeast, Salt, Lukewarm
If you've always wanted to try making your own shokupan at home but thought it was too difficult, think again. This beer can chicken recipe uses a simplified version of shokupan that is easy to make and just as delicious. All you need is a few basic ingredients and a bit of patience to let the dough rise. Serve the chicken on slices of homemade shokupan for a truly impressive dish.
Japanese cheesecake, also known as cotton cheesecake, is a light and fluffy version of the classic dessert. It's made with a combination of whipped egg whites and cream cheese, resulting in a light and airy texture. This beer can chicken recipe incorporates the flavors of Japanese cheesecake by using cream cheese and a splash of lemon juice in the marinade. The result is a tender and flavorful chicken that is perfect for any occasion.
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake that is filled with various ingredients such as cabbage, meat, and seafood. It's a popular street food in Japan and is often served with a variety of toppings and sauces. This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from okonomiyaki by using a similar flavor profile in the marinade. The chicken is then grilled to perfection and topped with your choice of okonomiyaki toppings.
9of 20
Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Salt, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
Sunomono is a refreshing Japanese cucumber salad that is typically served as a side dish. It's made with thinly sliced cucumbers and a tangy dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. This beer can chicken recipe incorporates the flavors of sunomono by using a similar dressing as a marinade. The result is a delicious and light chicken dish that pairs perfectly with a side of cucumber salad.
Ramen, a popular noodle soup dish in Japan, has gained worldwide popularity in recent years. It's made with a flavorful broth, thin noodles, and various toppings such as meat, eggs, and vegetables. This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from ramen by using similar flavors in the marinade. The chicken is then grilled and served on top of a bed of ramen noodles for a unique and delicious dish.
11of 20
Japanese Rice Balls Onigiri
Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Umeboshi, Bonito Flakes, Soy Sauce, Mirin
Onigiri, or rice balls, are a popular snack or side dish in Japan. They're made by shaping rice into a triangle or ball and filling them with various ingredients such as pickled plums, salmon, or tuna. This beer can chicken recipe incorporates the flavors of onigiri by using similar ingredients in the marinade. The result is a flavorful and unique chicken dish that is perfect for a Japanese-inspired meal.
12of 20
Shokupan (Japanese Milk Bread) With Straight Dough...
Main Ingredients: Bread Flour, Milk Powder, Sugar, Instant Yeast, Milk
If you prefer a more traditional method for making shokupan, this beer can chicken recipe is for you. It uses the straight dough method, which involves combining all the ingredients together at once and letting the dough rise before shaping and baking. The result is a delicious and fluffy shokupan that is perfect for serving with your beer can chicken.
Udon is a type of thick wheat noodle that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It's typically served in a hot broth with various toppings such as meat, vegetables, or tempura. This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from udon by using similar flavors in the marinade. The chicken is then grilled and served on top of a bowl of udon noodles and broth for a delicious and comforting meal.
14of 20
Japanese Gyoza Dumplings
Main Ingredients: Napa Cabbage, Ground Pork, Garlic, Fresh Ginger
Gyoza, also known as potstickers, are a popular Japanese dumpling that is usually filled with ground meat and vegetables. They're typically pan-fried and served with a dipping sauce. This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from gyoza by using similar flavors in the marinade. The chicken is then grilled and served with a side of homemade gyoza for a unique and flavorful meal.
Eggplant, or nasu in Japanese, is a popular vegetable in Japan that is used in a variety of dishes. It can be grilled, stir-fried, or used in stews and soups. This beer can chicken recipe incorporates Japanese eggplant by using it as a topping for the grilled chicken. The eggplant is marinated in a savory miso glaze, adding a delicious umami flavor to the dish.
16of 20
Japanese Soba Noodles With Peanut Sauce
Main Ingredients: Soba Noodles, Unsalted Roasted Peanuts, Sesame Oil
Soba noodles, made from buckwheat flour, are a popular type of noodle in Japan. They are often served cold with a dipping sauce or in a hot broth. This beer can chicken recipe uses soba noodles as a base for the dish, and is topped with a delicious peanut sauce. The result is a unique and flavorful meal that is perfect for a hot summer day.
17of 20
Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken)
Main Ingredients: Skinless Chicken Thighs, Soy Sauce, Pure Maple Syrup
Yakitori, or grilled chicken skewers, are a popular street food in Japan. They're typically made with bite-sized pieces of chicken that are marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and then grilled over charcoal. This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from yakitori by using similar flavors in the marinade. The chicken is then grilled to perfection and served on skewers for a delicious and easy meal.
Zucchini, or zucchini squash, is a versatile vegetable that is used in a variety of dishes around the world. In Japan, it is often used in stir-fries or grilled and served as a side dish. This beer can chicken recipe incorporates Japanese zucchini by using it as a topping for the grilled chicken. The zucchini is marinated in a sweet and tangy sauce, adding a delicious flavor to the dish.
19of 20
Japanese Beef Steak
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Sake, Water, New York Steaks
Beef steak, or gyu steak in Japanese, is a popular dish in Japan and is often served in high-end restaurants. It's typically made with high-quality beef and is cooked to perfection over a hot grill. This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from gyu steak by using similar flavors in the marinade. The result is a tender and flavorful chicken dish that is sure to impress.
20of 20
Katsudon Japanese Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Chops, Salt, Pepper, Flour, Egg, Panko
Katsudon, a popular rice bowl dish in Japan, is made with a breaded and fried pork cutlet that is served on top of a bowl of rice and topped with a savory egg mixture. This beer can chicken recipe takes inspiration from katsudon by using similar flavors in the marinade. The chicken is then grilled and served on top of a bed of rice and topped with a delicious egg mixture for a unique and flavorful meal.
The Secret to Perfect Japanese Bread
Japanese bread is famous for its soft, airy, and slightly sweet taste. The secret behind its perfect texture lies in the unique tangzhong method. This technique involves cooking a small portion of the flour and liquid in the recipe to create a paste, which is then added to the rest of the ingredients. The tangzhong helps to trap moisture, resulting in a softer and fluffier bread. This method is essential to achieve the signature texture of Japanese bread and should not be skipped.
Choosing the Right Flour
The main ingredient in any bread recipe is flour, and for Japanese bread, bread flour is the preferred choice. Its high protein content helps to create a strong gluten network, which is essential for achieving the desired soft and fluffy texture. However, if bread flour is not available, all-purpose flour can also be used, but the bread may turn out slightly denser.
Making the Perfect Loaf
Unlike other bread recipes, Japanese bread requires multiple rises for the dough to develop the desired texture. After the initial rise, the dough is punched down and shaped into a loaf before being left to rise again. This process may seem time-consuming, but it is crucial to achieve the perfect texture.
Martha Stewart's Japanese Bread Recipe
Now that we have covered the essential tips for making Japanese bread let's dive into Martha Stewart's recipe. This recipe yields a soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet loaf, perfect for sandwiches or to be enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients:
1 cup bread flour
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/3 cup water
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
Instructions:
In a small saucepan, whisk together 1/3 cup of the all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup of the milk, and 1/3 cup of the water until no lumps remain. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and the whisk leaves lines in the mixture, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool.
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix together the remaining flours, sugar, salt, and yeast. Once the tangzhong is cooled, add it to the flour mixture, along with the melted butter and egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place the dough in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan, cover, and let it rise for another 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the top of the loaf with milk and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Final Thoughts
Japanese bread is a delicious and versatile addition to any bread lover's repertoire. With the right techniques and ingredients, you can recreate the soft and fluffy texture of this popular bread at home. So why not give Martha Stewart's recipe a try and experience the taste of Japan in the comfort of your own kitchen?