I stumbled upon this nifty little trick to use up leftover curry, turning it into something super comforting and utterly delicious – a shortcut version of kare pan. If you're not familiar, kare pan is this fantastic Japanese snack that's essentially bread stuffed with curry, then breaded and deep-fried.
It's like the ultimate comfort food, combining the warmth of curry with the satisfying crunch of fried bread.
Originally introduced to Japan by the British during the Meiji era, curry rapidly became a staple, evolving into various forms, one of which is kare pan. Traditionally, kare pan is deep-fried bread filled with curry, offering a perfect blend of a crispy exterior and a rich, savory filling.
Now, for this recipe, you don't need to start from scratch. Just grab some of that leftover tofu kare (or really, any curry or thick gravy you have on hand) and some slices of soft bread, like shokupan, though any soft sandwich bread will do the trick.
The process is pretty laid-back: just sandwich the curry between bread, dip in egg, coat in panko, and fry it up. It's a fun little kitchen project that's not too fussy but ends up feeling kind of special.
So, why not give it a go? It's a tasty way to repurpose leftovers, and who knows, this shortcut kare pan might just be the highlight of your week. It's perfect for those lazy days when you want something yummy without too much effort, or when you're just in the mood to experiment a bit in the kitchen. Plus, it's a hit with both kids and adults alike – a win-win in my book!
Ingredients:
(Make 2 sandwiches)
Equipment:
Dutch Oven
Directions:
Please visit my "How To Make Shokupan" page for the recipe.
Please visit my "Tofu Kare" page for the recipe.
Season panko with salt and pepper.
Set aside until ready to use.
Pinch all 4 sides of the bread slices with your fingers.
Dip the 4 pinched sides into the beaten eggs.
Scoop 1 large TBSP of the kare onto the center of the bread.
Take another slice of bread and cover to form a sandwich.
Pinch all 4 sides to seal the sandwich properly.
Dip the whole sandwich into the beaten eggs.
Lastly, dredge onto the seasoned panko.
Add oil into dutch oven, about 3 inches in depth, over medium-high heat.
*To check if the temperature of the oil is ready, place a wooden chopstick into the oil.
If bubbles start to form, the temperature is ready for frying.*
Gently drop the sandwich away from you into the oil.
Deep fry until golden brown on both sides.
Remove from heat and drain off excess oil on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
Repeat the process for the remaining sandwich.
Serve immediately.
Crispy, soft, light and yummilicious...