Thursday, July 24, 2008

Takoyaki

It all started when I saw this handsome Japanese guy. He was there, always with a cheerful smile plus a little shyness. He is very tall, fair,with big eyes....
The first word he said to me was "Areegato".
This is my first time eating Takoyaki (octopus ball). 3 delicious looking, piping hot round balls, top with mayonnaise and some moving things (later then I realise it's Bonito flakes; a kind of fish shaving) in a small box.
First bite and my lips was almost burnt. Luckily not that greedy, did not hurt too much. Second bite, that's it, love them until now...
Now he is no longer there, the takoyaki is not as tasty as before :(

I like to look for recipes in the web. There are so many different recipes, just a click away. Recently saw a few blogs with recipes on Takoyaki. Very excited. Found recipes but don't have the grill, how? I pray hard and was surprised that my friend's husband is going to Japan to work. This is my chance, I thought. I asked him to get one for me, he agreed immediately.
I waited for about 2 or 3 weeks, finally he is back. Very excited, he helped me to get one with 24 holes. It is an electronic grill, the voltage is 100V. Oh no, how to use in Singapore! Again, search around the web. I know will need to get a device called transformer/voltage reducer for it to work. Went round Sim Lim Tower, finally found one. So happy but so heavy...

I saw in one of the blog that there are ready mix flour. Went round Singapore, can't find it. Daiso always out of stock. Finally, found in Basement of "Taka."

Went home, get my maid to get ready all the ingredients (e.g. chopped spring onion, cut small pieces of cooked prawn, sotong(not nice), bacon and cheese). I did not find Octopus so substitute with Sotong. Not nice at all.
I followed the instruction, add flour to water and eggs. Mix well. Suprise to see small bits of cruncy biscuits inside the mixture.
Heat the grill, pour the batter over, add in any ingredients you like, wait for it to form before turning. Once brown, add in bonito flakes, mayonneise and seaweed (blended). Serve.

It is very tasty, like those I had. Very easy and simple. I will definitely do it again.

If you want to give it a try but don't want the hassle like me to buy everything, you can rent from me.

You may visit my ebay at http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Takoyaki-grill-pan_W0QQitemZ150274226331QQihZ005QQcategoryZ88433QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
(rental price is negotiable but not the deposit)