Takoyaki

Takoyaki, or Octopus Balls is one of Japan’s best-known street food originated in Osaka.  Whether you make traditional style with bits of octopus or other alternatives, these ball-shape dumplings are fun to make with your friends and family!

Takoyaki (たこ焼き) is a Japanese snack in the shape of little round balls containing pieces of octopus. Tako-yaki literally translates to “octopus-grilled/fried” and some people may call it “Octopus Balls” or “Octopus Dumplings”.

Don’t Like Octopus?

Ingredients

  ·      2 green onions/scallions

  ·      1 Tbsp pickled red ginger

  ·      4.2 oz cooked octopus (4.2 oz = 120 g) (See notes)

  ·      ¼ cup katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) (¼ cup = 4g)

  ·      1 cup all-purpose flour (1 cup = 4.2 oz = 120 g)

  ·      2 tsp baking powder

  ·      ½ tsp kosher salt

  ·      2 large eggs

  ·      1 tsp soy sauce

  ·      1½ cup dashi (1½ cup = 360 ml)

  ·      2 Tbsp neutral flavor oil (vegetable, canola, etc)

  ·      ⅓ cup Tenkasu/Agedama (tempura scraps) (⅓ cup = 15 g)

Topping

  ·       Takoyaki Sauce (Tonkatsu sauce)

  ·       Japanese mayonnaise

  ·       Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)

  ·       Aonori (dried green seaweed)

Instructions

1.    Gather all the ingredients.

2.    Cut green onions into fine slices and mince 1 Tbsp. red pickled ginger.

3.    Cut octopus into ½ inch (1.5 cm) bite size pieces (cut into smaller pieces for kids so they can chew easily). I use “rangiri” cutting technique.

4.    Grind ¼ cup (4g) katsuobushi (bonito flakes) into fine powder.

5.    Add 1 cup (4.2 oz/120 g) all-purpose flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. kosher salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine all together.

6.    Add 2 large eggs, 1 tsp. soy sauce, and 1 ½ cup (360 ml) dashi.

7.    Whisk all together until well-blended and transfer the batter to a 2-cup measuring cup with a handle (or any other pitcher with a spout for easy pouring).

8.    Heat the takoyaki pan to 400F (200C) over medium heat. Using a brush, generously oil the takoyaki pan (both the holes and connecting flat areas). When you see smoke coming from the pan, pour the batter to fill the holes. It’s okay for the batter to slightly overflow the holes. Usually as you add ingredients to the batter it will overflow.

9.    Add 1-3 octopus pieces in each hole depending on its size and sprinkle katsuobushi powder on top.

10.Then sprinkle tenkasu, green onion, and pickled red ginger.

11.After 3 minutes or so, when the bottom of the balls has hardened slightly, break the connected batter between each ball with skewers. Then turn each piece a 90 degree, stuffing in the edges as you are turning. The batter will flow out from the inside of each takoyaki ball and creates the other side of the takoyaki ball. After you finish flipping, set timer for 4 minutes. Keep turning constantly so each piece will have nice round shape. Home takoyaki grill doesn’t equally distribute heat so it’s good idea to swap takoyaki balls around to get even brown color. Transfer takoyaki balls onto a plate and pour takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise. Finish off with sprinkling katsuobushi and dried green seaweed. Serve immediately (but be careful – inside is VERY hot!).

Recipe Notes

Octopus: Cooked octopus can be purchased in Japanese grocery stores. Not a fan of octopus? You can include veggies (my kids love corn), cheese, small mochi pieces... choices are endless!

Source; Click