Recipe
[Cooking with Kids] Unstoppable! Easy Summer Appetizer Recipes
![[Cooking with Kids] Unstoppable! Easy Summer Appetizer Recipes](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Sl-9G_HlcSU/hqdefault.jpg)
Ingredients
- 2aburaage (fried tofu pouches)
- 5slices of ham
- 2slices of melting cheese
- 2cucumbers
- 1clove of garlic
- 1tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2tbsp shiro dashi
- Apinch of salt
About "Aburaage Burrito & Chinese-Style Quick-Pickled Cucumber"
Two dishes: aburaage (fried tofu pouches) stuffed with ham and cheese and baked in the oven to make a burrito, and cucumber smashed and seasoned with sesame oil and shiro dashi for a Chinese-style quick pickle. These easy appetizers, made simply by baking in a toaster oven until the cheese melts, are perfect for a fun cooking session with kids.
Introduction to 桝谷のSimple is best →
Tips for Making "Aburaage Burrito & Chinese-Style Quick-Pickled Cucumber"
-
Prep
- Smashing the cucumbers with your fist or a rolling pin before cutting helps them absorb flavors much faster.
-
Prep
- Crush the garlic with the flat side of a knife before mincing it.
-
Cooking Method
- Cut a slit along the side of the aburaage and gently open it to form a pouch. Handle carefully to avoid tearing.
-
Cooking Method
- Fold the ham and cheese in half and stuff them evenly inside the aburaage pouches.
-
Baking
- Bake in a toaster oven, or in a regular oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes until the cheese melts.
-
Seasoning
- Add shiro dashi as a secret ingredient to the pickled cucumbers, and chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Ingredients for "Aburaage Burrito & Chinese-Style Quick-Pickled Cucumber"
8 items* Tap ingredient names to find on Amazon
How to Make "Aburaage Burrito & Chinese-Style Quick-Pickled Cucumber"
- 1
Cut a slit along the side of the aburaage and gently open it to form a pouch.
- 2
Fold the ham slices in half and stuff them evenly into the aburaage pouches (if using 5 slices, cut the extra slice in half and put one half in each pouch).
- 3
Cut the melting cheese slices in half and place them inside the aburaage pouches with the ham.
- 4
Bake in a toaster oven or preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes. Remove once the surface is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- 5
Cut the baked aburaage into bite-sized pieces.
- 6
Smash the cucumbers on a cutting board using your fist or a rolling pin, then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- 7
Crush the garlic clove with the flat side of a knife, then finely mince it.
- 8
In a bowl, combine the cucumber, garlic, a pinch of salt, sesame oil, and shiro dashi, then mix well.
- 9
Chill the pickled cucumbers in the refrigerator.
- 10
Plate the aburaage burritos and chilled pickled cucumbers together and serve.
Food Science
Combining the glutamic acid in the aburaage and cheese with the inosilic acid in the ham and shiro dashi creates a powerful umami synergy, enhancing the overall flavor. Additionally, heating the aburaage triggers the Maillard reaction, adding a rich, savory aroma. Smashing the cucumbers and salting them also helps with moisture control, drawing out excess water and allowing the seasonings to penetrate quickly in a short amount of time.
Detailed Commentary on "Aburaage Burrito & Chinese-Style Quick-Pickled Cucumber"
* Content organized by topics from the video.
Chatting About Busy Men and Having 'Leeway'
Chef Shuichiro Masuya starts the video with a lively chat with camera crew members Director Yoshida and Director Mori. He talks about men who work hard every day for their families, even jokingly raising his voice to say, 'I'm working hard too!' According to Chef Masuya, a man claiming 'I'm working hard too' is proof that he lacks 'leeway' (mental space). He shares some life wisdom, saying that everyone goes through a busy phase in their prime where they are too focused on work to have any leeway. However, once you reach the level of seasoned married men like them, you develop the mental capacity to calmly accept whatever your wife says with a simple, 'Yes, dear.'
Smashed Cucumbers: Great for Stress Relief
The first dish is Chinese-Style Pickled Cucumbers. First, smash the cucumbers (2) on a cutting board with your fist or a rolling pin, then cut them into bite-sized pieces. Chef Masuya shares a professional tip: smashing the cucumbers helps them absorb the flavors much faster. He jokes, 'Kids who got scolded by their moms or husbands who had a bad day can smash them to relieve stress!' Next, crush a clove of garlic (1) with the flat side of a knife, mince it, and add it to the cucumbers. Sprinkle with salt (a pinch), drizzle with sesame oil (1 tbsp), and add shiro dashi (1/2 tbsp) supervised by Chef Kasahara as a secret ingredient. Toss well and chill in the refrigerator.
The Delicate Art of Splitting Aburaage
The second dish is the Aburaage Burrito. The ingredients are aburaage (2 pouches), ham (5 slices), and melting cheese (2 slices). First, cut a slit along the side of the aburaage and slowly open the inside to form a pouch. In stark contrast to the cucumber-smashing step, Chef Masuya calls for extreme care: 'If you don't open it slowly, it will tear. Immerse yourself in your delicate side and do this carefully. No rough handling allowed!' Fold the ham (5 slices) in half and stuff them evenly into the pouches. Since there are 5 slices, cut the extra one in half and distribute it between the two pouches.
Adding Cheese and Baking to Perfection
Next, cut the melting cheese (2 slices) in half and slide them into the aburaage pouches alongside the ham. Cheese lovers can add even more for extra deliciousness! Once stuffed, home cooks can bake them in a toaster oven until the cheese melts. For this video, they use the restaurant's oven, baking at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes. While waiting, Chef Masuya, who seems to be struggling with allergies, sneezes and blows his nose heartily. Showing his relatable, everyday self, he emphasizes how this recipe allows you to cook with plenty of 'leeway.'
Crispy Baked Burritos Are Ready!
When the aburaage is removed from the oven, the surface is beautifully golden brown and crispy, with the melted cheese oozing out. Chef Masuya cuts them into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board. A satisfying, crispy crunch echoes as the knife cuts through, revealing the beautiful layers of ham and melted cheese inside. Chef Masuya proudly declares, 'Now this is a burrito!' and plates them beautifully. Serve them alongside the chilled Chinese-Style Pickled Cucumbers from the fridge, and you have two irresistible, endlessly snackable appetizers ready to enjoy.
Tasting Time and an Upcoming Event
Staff members Kao-chan and Acchan taste the completed appetizers. Trying the aburaage burrito, they rave, 'The outside is so crispy, it's like eating bread!' and 'It's light yet perfectly savory!' Chef Masuya notes that serving it with ketchup is highly recommended for kids. As for the pickled cucumbers, they can't stop eating: 'Oh my gosh, I can't stop! These are infinite cucumbers!' Chef Masuya jokes, 'Even if you had a fight with your spouse, eating this at night will make you make up.' Finally, he announces his upcoming booth at the Curry Fair at Shinjuku Isetan from August 19th to 24th, wrapping up the video in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
About 桝谷のSimple is best
桝谷のSimple is best
10.5万人 subscribers ・ イタリアン
* Opens YouTube channel
* Subscriber count is as of article creation and may differ from the current number.
