Ingredients – for 3 large Hamburg steaks

(for large-size “Fukkura-san”)

(Hamburg steak)

4 tablespoons  panko (breadcrumbs)

3 tablespoons  milk or half and half

1/2  medium-size onion, minced

1 pound  ground meat (your choice of meat, such as beef, veal, pork, bison, etc.)

1/2 teaspoon  ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon  salt

1/2 teaspoon  pepper

1 egg

2 tablespoons  olive oil

(sauce)

1 tablespoon  butter

1 clove  garlic, thinly sliced

1/2 medium-size onion, minced

1 small-size carrot, thinly sliced crosswise

1/3 pounds  mushrooms, sliced

1/4 cup  red wine

8 oz  tomato sauce

8 oz  stock

1/2 tablespoon  dry oregano

1 piece  bay leaf

1/2 tablespoon  Worcestershire sauce (for the extra depth in flavor, optional)

salt and pepper

your choice of herb for garnish

Procedure

1. 1.To make the Hamburg steak, in a medium-size bowl, combine the panko and milk.  Add the next 6 ingredients (up to egg), and knead until the mixture is smooth.
   

2. 2.Divide the mixture into 3 and make each into a disk.
   

3. 3.Heat the olive oil in Fukkura-san’s skillet over medium-high heat.  Sear the Hamburg steaks both sides until browned.  (about 3 minutes one side, then another 2 minutes on the other side).  Transfer the meat to a plate.
   

4. 4.In the same skillet, add the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant.  Add the onion and carrot and sauté for a couple of minutes.
   

5. 5.Add the mushrooms and sauté until they are cooked through.
   

6. 6.Deglaze with the red wine.  Add the tomato sauce, stock, dry oregano and bay leaf.  Stir.
   

7. 7.Once the sauce starts simmering, turn down the heat to medium.  Season the sauce with Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. 
   

8. 8.Transfer the Hamburg steak back to the skillet.  Close with the lid, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the meat is completelyc through.
   

9. 9.Serve the Hamburg steak with the sauce into individual plates at the table.