Panko: 7 Dinner Ideas

Light-as-air Japanese bread crumbs give a dish heft without weighing it down.

With the right recipe, panko can be fried food's best friend. Unlike run-of-the-mill breadcrumbs, panko is made from crustless bread, producing a coarser yet lighter crumb. The result? A crunchier, lighter breading that doesn't get soggy or weigh down a dish.

Here are a few quick and easy ideas for using panko at dinner plus a few yummy recipes from our friends at Kikkoman.

• Coat a piece of salmon with a mixture of Chinese mustard, teriyaki sauce and soy sauce. Roll in panko and pan fry or bake skin-side down until cooked through—2-3 minutes per side on the stove or 10-15 minutes in a 375F oven.
• Try making Southern-fried green tomatoes or okra with panko instead of flour or plain bread crumbs.
• Use panko in your favorite stuffed mushroom recipe.
• Try panko in turkey or beef meatloaf.