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1. At least 4 hours before making the tatsuta age, prepare the garnish. Cut off the tops of the red peppers and scoop out their seeds.
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2. With chopsticks or the tip of a sharp, pointed knife, pierce 4 holes in the flat side of the daikon. Insert a dried red pepper in each opening, forcing it in deep enough for its top to be level with the surface of the daikon.
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3. Let the stuffed daikon rest for 4 hours. By then, the daikon's moisture will have reconstituted the peppers, and the pepper flavor will have been absorbed by the daikon.
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4. Just before preparing tatsuta age, grate the pepper-studded daikon and divide it into 6 parts. Roll into 6 little balls and set them aside.
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5. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan, and drop in the string beans. Return to the boil, then drain the beans in a sieve and run cold water over them to cool them quickly. Set aside.
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6. Combine the ¼ cup mirin (or sherry) and soy sauce in a deep mixing bowl. Then spread the cornstarch on a long sheet of wax paper.
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7. Have all the ingredients within easy reach.
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8. In a heavy skillet or casserole, heat the oil. A piece at a time, dip the meat into the mirin-and-soy-sauce mixture and turn it about to moisten it thoroughly. Then dip it lightly into the cornstarch and shake it vigorously to remove the excess.
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9. Fry 6 or 8 pieces at a time in the hot oil for 10 to 12 seconds, until the meat is a light golden brown. Drain the meat on paper towels and coat, fry and drain the remaining slices of meat similarly.
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10. Lay 6 string beans at a time in a slotted spoon, lower the spoon into the hot fat and hold it there for only 20 seconds. Then drain the fried beans on paper towels.
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11. Place equal portions of the meat on individual serving plates and garnish each plate with 2string beans and a ball of the grated daikon.
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12. Accompany the meat with small individual dishes of dipping sauce. The grated daikon is customarily mixed into the dipping sauce to taste.
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13. As part of a 5- or 7-course Japanese dinner, tatsuta age will serve 6. As a main course, it will serve 3.
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