Ingredients
- Curry roux cubes (1): the ratio of roux to water is 1 cube : 150 ml water. Add an additional tablespoon of water if you like a thinner consistency.
- Protein: I use soy curls for a vegetarian/vegan alternative, however you can use your protein of choice.
- Vegetables: The most standard vegetables added to Japanese curry are onions, potatoes, carrots and mushrooms. However, feel free to use other vegetables like peppers, kabocha, sugar snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans or okra.
- Butter: Adds richness to the curry. Use dairy-free butter as needed.
- Japanese Worcester or Fruit & Vegetable sauce: this adds sourness to balance out the sweet-savory taste of the curry. You may substitute this with ketchup or vinegar.
How to Make
Stove Top Method (20 minutes)
- Over medium high heat, add oil or butter and cook onion for a few minutes until lightly caramelized (this takes about 3 minutes).
- Add mushroom, carrots and potato and grated apples, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add soy curls, salt, pepper and cayenne. If using another protein, cook until no longer pink.
- Add water and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Dissolve roux and mix in the Worcester sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Serve with rice and fukushinzuke. Enjoy!!
Microwave Method (12 minutes)
- Add the butter, onion, potato, carrots, mushroom and soy curls (or protein of choice) to a bowl. Add the water, apple sauce, salt, pepper and cayenne.
- Microwave for 5 minutes on medium (600 W) uncovered. If using poultry, skim the skum off. Add the curry cube, and mix.
- Microwave for another 4 minutes. Mix in the Worcester sauce.
- Serve with rice and fukushinzuke, and enjoy!
Recipe Websites
Just One Cookbook
Just One Cookbook is an excellent reference for Japanese recipes, including Japanese curry. The site provides detailed instructions, clear ingredient lists, and beautiful imagery, making it easy for users to follow along.
Cooking with Dog
Cooking with Dog is usually my go-to recipe source for when I'm looking for authentic Japanese recipes, as it offers recipes with instructional videos. The visual aid of the videos, coupled with step-by-step written instructions, enhances the user experience, especially for complex dishes like Japanese curry.
Japanese Cooking 101
Japanese Cooking 101 is another great resource for Japanese cuisine, offering a variety of recipes, including Japanese curry. The site's organized layout and beginner-friendly approach make it accessible for users of all cooking skill levels.
Non-Recipe Websites
Minimalissimo
Minimalissimo showcases minimalist design across various disciplines. I particularly like how the images are a focal point. Drawing inspiration from this site could inform my design with clean layouts, ample white space, and elegant typography, creating a visually pleasing and uncluttered recipe page.
Airbnb
I personally think Airbnb's website does effective communication really well. The visual hierarchy and placing of interactive elements on the website makes sense, and information for each airbnb listing is very cleanly presented and neatly packed.
Anthropologie
I like the simplicity of their website and use of clear, coherent imagery. Though the website may not be the most stylistically sophisticated, the focus of the website is its layout, imagery and easy navigation, which adds to the user experience.