Tofu Tonkatsu Bento Box
with rice / edamame / cucumber salad

Name: Tofu Tonkatsu Bento Box
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 cup Rice, uncooked white or brown; 16 oz Tofu, extra-firm, sliced into "steaks", 1 per serving (vacuum-packed preferable); 3/4 cup Flour, all-purpose; 2 Eggs, whisked; 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs; 3 Tbsp Oil, cooking; 4 Tbsp Ketchup; 1 Tbsp Hoisin sauce; 2 tsp Soy sauce, low-sodium; 1 tsp Sugar; 1 1/2 tsp Ginger, fresh, grated; 2 Tbsp Vinegar, rice; 2 Tbsp Soy sauce, low-sodium; 1 tsp Sugar; 1 Tbsp Oil, cooking; 1/2 tsp Sesame seeds, white; 6 oz Cucumbers, diced; 1 heart Lettuce, romaine, chopped (sub butterhead lettuce); 12 oz Edamame, preferably in the pods; for topping Salt (opt)

Active: 60 Total: 60

Original GF Paleo Vegetarian

We're celebrating the Olympics this week and next with meals inspired from around the globe. Tonight's meal from 2021 Summer Olympics host country Japan kicks off the games!
Smarts #1: Be sure to get the tofu very dry during prep so that the breading will stick. Also be sure to season it with salt and pepper before adding breading - that's the only step where it will be seasoned.
Smarts #2: We wanted to fill the bento box with plenty of delicious options, but don't hesitate to skip one or more components if you prefer to simplify the meal.

Proteins

Tofu

Cuisines

Asian - Japanese

Ingredients

Metric

Servings:

White or Brown Rice:

Rice, uncooked white or brown - 1 cup

Tofu Tonkatsu:

Tofu, extra-firm - 16 oz , sliced into "steaks", 1 per serving (vacuum-packed preferable)
Flour, all-purpose - 3/4 cup
Eggs - 2 , whisked
Panko breadcrumbs - 1 1/2 cups
Oil, cooking - 3 Tbsp

Tonkatsu Sauce:

Ketchup - 4 Tbsp
Hoisin sauce - 1 Tbsp
Soy sauce, low-sodium - 2 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp

Cucumber Salad:

Ginger, fresh - 1 1/2 tsp , grated
Vinegar, rice - 2 Tbsp
Soy sauce, low-sodium - 2 Tbsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
Sesame seeds, white - 1/2 tsp
Cucumbers - 6 oz , diced
Lettuce, romaine - 1 heart , chopped (sub butterhead lettuce)

Edamame:

Edamame, preferably in the pods - 12 oz
Salt (opt) - for topping

Prep

Tofu - If tofu is packaged in water, press out liquid first. Then slice into even slices (one per serving). (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Rice - For white rice, rinse until clear. Fill a saucepan or Dutch oven (or rice cooker) with rice, water (use 2:1 ratio for water to rice), and some salt. Cover with lid and bring to a boil. Once water boils, stir, lower heat to a low-medium, and cover. Check white rice after ~20 min; brown at ~45 min. Rice is done when it's absorbed all the water. If it's not done, leave the cover on until all water has been absorbed. Take cover off to release steam and fluff with a wooden spoon after 5 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make sauce - Whisk together ketchup, Hoisin sauce, soy sauce (portion for sauce), and sugar (portion for sauce). (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make dressing - Grate ginger. Whisk together ginger, vinegar, soy sauce (portion for salad), and sugar (portion for salad). Add oil (portion for salad) while whisking. Stir in sesame seeds. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Cucumbers / Lettuce - Prep as directed.
Prep breading stations - Set out three shallow bowls. Place flour in one, whisk eggs in the second, and place panko in the third.

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Make

Heat a skillet or frying pan with oil (for tofu) over low-medium heat.
Set out all of the tofu slices and season them well on both sides with some salt and pepper.
Working with one piece of tofu at a time, dredge tofu in flour, shaking off excess. Dip tofu in whisked egg to coat and then press firmly into panko to coat in breadcrumbs. Sear tofu on both sides until breading is golden brown and tofu is heated all the way through, 6 to 12 minutes total. Do this in batches until all of the tofu is cooked, adding more oil if the pan looks dry.
Transfer tofu to a cutting board.
Just before serving, place edamame in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high until warm, 1 to 4 minutes (use the shorter end of the time if the edamame is refrigerated and the longer end if frozen). Sprinkle with some salt if you’d like.
If rice was made ahead, reheat in the microwave.
Toss cucumbers and lettuce in dressing.
Slice tofu and serve over rice with sauce for drizzling over top. Enjoy salad and edamame on the side.

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