There is only one more recipe left before this column ends, so I tried to think of some important Japanese dish which I have not written about in the last three years. Then I realized that my favorites -- tonkatsu and tempura -- were still on the waiting list. Both are dishes we eat about once a month.

So this time, I chose tonkatsu as the main dish (the final recipe will be tempura). My favorite homemade hirekatsu (deep-fried pork fillet) is a recipe I learned from a friend of mine. It is amazing that just the simple process of rubbing with minced garlic makes any kind of pork so tasty. If you don't care for garlic, just leave it out for a regular hirekatsu recipe.

Braised eggplants are a quick side dish that taste good either warm or chilled.