Dexter cooks. With Kikkoman.
Thursday, November 18, 2010 The other day, I recieved a huge box from Kikkoman. You may know them as the soy sauce people. You're right. They do indeed make the best soy sauce this side of the Great Wall. What I didn't realize was that Kikkoman soy sauce makes an excellent brining solution for your holiday turkey too. What a killer concept!
Which naturally led me to think, "how would Dexter cook Thanksgiving dinner?" Ok, I'll be honest, pretty much anything prompts me to think "what would Dexter do?" because I'm a little bit obsessed over that show. Case in point? I made a video that answers my first question:
Speaking of meals to kill for, I did a little experimenting with some of the other items that came in my Kikkoman goodie box. Did you know that Kikkoman makes the best tempura batter mix and Panko bread crumbs, hands down? Totally makes you realize that buying that deep fryer was less an impulse buy, than a manifestation of destiny. Both of these recipes I made up put a new twist on some Thanksgiving staples:
Loaded Mashed Potato Patties
Every Thanksgiving spread needs mashed potatoes. This version makes them portable. And incorporates all the good stuff from another potato favorite: the loaded mashed potato.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 2 eggs, beaten separately (you know, because each one deserves your full wrath)
- 8 slices of cooked bacon, give or take 50 (hey, I get it. It's bacon.). Chopped.
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- Some flour in a bowl - I didn't measure. That's why I write here and not on Food Network.
- Some Kikkoman Panko breadcrumbs in a bowl - again, if you have a whole box, just add more as you need it. I'm not going to micromanage your cooking.
- A deep fryer, or a pan with oil in it.
Throw the potatoes, ONE egg, bacon and chives in a mixing bowl. Take your hand and mash it all up good. Don't wimp out on me. Get visceral with your cooking. It's very satisfying, trust me. The following should be in bowls, lined up in a path toward your fryer or pan in the following order:
Cheese, flour, one beaten egg, Panko bread crumbs.
Take a small handful of the potato mixture and form a small pattie. Grab some cheese and place it in the middle. Grab more mixture and mash it on top, so now you have a pattie with cheese in the middle.
Dip the pattie in flour. Then egg. Then the Panko breadcrumbs. Then fry until golden brown.
Tempura Apples
Remember the old school McDonald's apple pies? How they were cinnamony and fried? I sure miss those. These are my attempt at finding a substitute. And they're pretty damn good. Desperation is the mother of invention.
Ingredients:
- 2 Fuji apples
- Cinnamon sugar (just mix a bunch of sugar with a bunch of cinnamon)
- Kikkoman Tempura batter (mix up one serving; instructions on box)
- A deep fryer, or equivalent
- Caramel sauce
Slice up the apples and put them in a mixing bowl. Pour some cinnamon sugar on top and toss it. Let it sit for a few minutes while you mix up the batter.
Dip the apple slices in the batter and then drop them in the oil. Then after they are done, let them cool off for a bit. Sprinkle more cinnamon sugar on those bad boys and drizzle melted caramel on top. You can also top that with a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead. Or in addition. Awesome plus awesome is always more awesome.
Want your own goodie box full of Kikkoman products and nifty swag? I'm giving one away. Just leave me a comment and I'll pick sometime this weekend. Maybe Sunday? Whatever. This isn't Food Network.
Reader Comments (42)
Those potatoes look deadly. Would you mind coming over and clogging my family's arteries this holiday?
Potatoes are a must. Must do. Must go now...
You are so full of win today.
Congratulations. You definitely won the Internets today dude.
Fabulous job. I am currently enthralled with Dexter (mid way through Season 4). I'm at that point where I fear what I'll do when I actually have to wait for the dvd to be released, as I am watching 2-3 episodes a night.
Love the idea of soy brining!
Potatoes look yummy! Comfort food at its best....
Outstanding video. And that is, by far, the biggest wooden spoon (not a metaphor) I've ever seen in my life.
OMG, that was friggin hysterical! I'm a recent Dexter convert, still getting through Season 2 on Netflix. Fury makes an excellent Harry!
Outstanding video. And that is, by far, the biggest wooden spoon (not a metaphor) I've ever seen in my life.
Fury does the best product placement ever.
As for the Dexter thing, I am equally proud and horrified of the monster I have created.
That video was HILARIOUS! Thank you for brightening my day. And oh lord those potatoes look good!
I'm a BusyMom married to a BusyDad who loves to cook awesome food, always brines his turkey and LOVES Dexter too. I would be thrilled if you would send some Kikkoman swag my way so I can give it to my amazing hubby.
I had no idea they made tempura batter! I was just thinking the other day that I want to try that... !! Yay!
Thank you for making me laugh today. My husband and I are so obsessed with Dexter, that we wait until the season's over to watch it. We CAN NOT wait from week to week to see what happens next. I can't wait for him to come home from work so I can show him your video.
I really can't stop coming back to see what you're going to do next. You've got this Twinkie (my sister's term for Chinese on the outside, white on the inside) coming back. Is that racist? I don't know. It's just what we call ourselves.
I love Kikkoman's soy sauce! I buy that same ginormous container at Costco. That video, GENIUS. Can you give away a deep frier next? Thanks.
I have never seen Dexter, despite my plunge into the world of Television (but hey, I finally know who the hell Ben-10 is!); can I still get in on this? Also, what if I ALREADY use all those products? Does this still count as a valid entry? Those apples look great. And the potatoes. FYI those panko crumbs are good for chicken fried steak, too, and chicken strips.
If Michael C. Hall ever has a contract dispute with the producers of the show I think you're a shoo in to replace him. This was epic.
Dude! What happened to the beer in the Beer Fridge? Funny. btw. never thought to brine with soy sauce. How'd it turn out? I normally use kosher salt and brown sugar. Would love to know! Mahalo!
Dude. Oh dude.
My mother would FREAK if I made anything in the kitchen without a recipe. So, while you had me at the beginning, hearing Fury say "Use the recipe" had me totally on the floor.
Also? That ending? You've watched Dexter WAAAAAAY too much! (Not really. ;) )
Dude. Do you know how happy I get when I see that you've made another video? You never fail to amaze me, Jim.
Now that your head is sufficiently enlarged, all that's left to do is sit back and wait for my delivery of Kikkoman goodies...
First time on your blog, via a link from The Redneck Mommy's FB status. I'm one of those blog readers that hates to check new bloggers out for the mere fact that most of them are grammatically incorrect with a crap load of misconstrued thoughts hastily thrown together in the hopes that people will hop on over to comment on their inane drivel. Your drivel is so far from inane, it readily borders the insane. While your thoughts are far from misconstrued (and actually make sense, yay!).. I found them to be.. enlightening. I love reading writers who have a flair for humor. Your video rocks (and I've only watched Dexter twice) to the point that I really felt like I was watching an episode. Awesome. You now have me hankering for some of those loaded mashed potato patties. I have an inkling that Food Network show or not.. you may possibly be a god. :)
So, unlike the previous comment, I've kind of been around her for awhile. I loved the video, but must say that I was MOST impressed with the grass growing in your back yard!
Also, if you could send me that Dyson fan I would be most appreciative.
Panko is my favorite thing EVER!! Seriously, I'm obsessed. I go through my fridge just dying to find something new to dredge in panko and fry. (This maybe the reason I'm having some difficulties losing the baby weight)
I've never watched Dexter but heard its amazing. I'll have to get it on Netflix.
I love Kikkoman soy sauce and I know the Panko would be appreciated. Send some my way please!!! :)
Nothing, I mean nothing, brings me greater joy than seeing you show up in my reader. You are full of the win.
I medium want to cut you for that Red Bull fridge, but I will let it go because you brought the tempura apple recipe into my life.
Keep up the good work, my favorite internet Asian.
Great ideas. Panko bread crumbs are awesom and I can only imagine that the mixture of them potatoes, bacon, and cheese is even awesomer.
I was dying when I watched this. Seriously, I may have snorted a little. I think this is the better video you have made so far.
Brilliant man, just brilliant.
Definitely the best episode of Dexter I've seen. Not even Doakes could get upset about that recipe, and the mental image of the real Harry doing product placement for Kikkoman will leave me giggling all night. Have you read the series of books Dexter is based on? They're even better than the show!
Pick me! Pick me!
Also, you make the BEST Dexter!!
In defense of us who succumbed to buyind turkey fryers... I also use mine fryer burner to Can pickles and preserves, boil water in a power outage, make coffee in same power outage and cook in same power outage. But that recipe looks good. I use kikkoman when I make my serious beef jerky.
As a committed Dexter fan, I'm furious that I didn't think of that first!
I could have never pulled it off as well as you did. Brilliant. Now, back to cooking for me. Tonight, as I watch Dexter I'll think of your turkey's sacrifice.
Oh man - that potats look awesome! They may not be made this weekend - but they will be made. And the apple deals? Re-dick-u-lus. Those will be made too! Awesome -
So, uh, float me some kikkoman goodies, k? :)
@OhYeah_Her
Awesome video. I love Dexter, too.
I'm making the Loaded Patties for Thanksgiving!!! YUMMY!
I'm new to your blog - you're funny! Definitely going to try the fried potatoes.
Cheers,
New to your blog from a link from RaisingColorado. The video made my day!!! Thanks!
I'm also new and found you from Raising Colorado. Great post! I'm going to go nose around on here now...
The mashed potato patties looks delicious to eat.
I like potato very much and fries too!
Man, I'm getting more hungry when I looked at the photos. I think i should eat now. lol.
DOOOODE, I had to show my husband your Dexter vid this morning, He is a major Dexter fan as well and we both agree youre awesome. Then he scrolled down and was like "hey make me these" so looks like its just going to be a busydadblog day en la casa de Jana
Hey bro....tried the mac+cheese, Asian slaw and potato cake recipes. All top drawer. Cheers. Patrick (Penang).