In Japan, there is a popular savoury bread called ‘Karee Pan’, that is deep-fried bread filled with Curry and coated with Bread Crumbs. Using my ‘1-Hour Focaccia’ dough and your leftover Curry, it’s not too hard to make. Deep-frying is the traditional method, but you can bake it in the oven. I include a simple Curry Filling recipe as well.

Makes

8 Rolls

Ingredients

1-Hour Focaccia Dough
3/4 cup Warm Water
1 teaspoon Dry Yeast
1 tablespoon Sugar
2 cups Bread Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Powder *Note: If you have enough time to proof the dough, you don’t need to add it.
2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil OR softened Butter
1/2 cup ‘Panko’ Bread Crumbs for coating *optional
1 Egg *optional

Curry Filling
About 125g Minced Meat *Beef, Pork OR Chicken
1 teaspoon Oil
1/2 Onion *finely chopped
1 teaspoon grated Ginger
1 small clove Garlic *grated or finely chopped
1/2 Carrot *finely chopped
100ml Water
40g Curry Roux (Sauce Mix) *cut into small pieces

Method
  1. To make Focaccia Dough. place Warm Water, Dry Yeast and Sugar in a bowl, mix gently and set aside.
  2. Combine Bread Flour, Baking Powder (*optional) and Salt in a large heat-proof bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture and Oil. Mix well to form a soft dough. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes, adding extra flour as required, until smooth and elastic.
  3. Place the dough in a bowl, cover with a plate or plastic wrap, and set aside in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes (OR 1 hour if you have time). *Note: Heat in the microwave on low power (150 to 200W) for 30 seconds to warm the dough will help to rise.
  4. Meanwhile, make Curry Filling. What you need is a thick curry mixture that is not runny.
  5. Heat Oil in a saucepan, and cook Minced Meat and vegetables for a few minutes until vegetables are soft. Add Water and Curry Roux, and cook until the mixture is thick. Set aside to cool.
  6. Divide the cooled Curry Filling into 8 even portions.
  7. Turn the dough onto lightly floured surface and divide into 8 even portions. Roll out each portion into an oblong, place 1 portion of the Curry Filling, fold in half, pinch the edges to close completely. Place on baking paper, sealed side down, and set aside in a warm place for 15 to 20 minutes.

  8. If you want to coat them with Panko, roll them in lightly whisked Egg, then roll over ‘Panko’ to coat.
  9. Deep-fry in medium hot Oil, just like frying doughnuts, until cooked through and golden brown. You can bake them in the oven at 200℃ for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
  10. Today I tried both methods. See the difference. Deep-fried ones taste much better.