First, you will need to gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need four eel fillets, two tablespoons of soy sauce, two tablespoons of mirin, two tablespoons of sake, two tablespoons of brown sugar, six skewers, and some vegetable oil to grease the grill pan.
Begin by soaking the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. This will prevent them from burning while cooking. Next, sprinkle some salt over the eel fillets and let them rest for about 10 minutes. This will season them and remove any excess moisture.
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar. This will create a sweet and savory marinade that will add depth of flavor to the eel. Take half of the marinade and brush it generously over the eel fillets.
Next, skewer the eel fillets, taking care not to overpack them onto the skewers. You want to make sure that each fillet is evenly spaced to ensure even cooking. Once the fillets are skewered, brush the remaining marinade over them and let them rest for about 10-15 minutes.
While the eel is resting, heat a grill pan or grill over medium-high heat. Brush the pan with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Once the pan is hot, place the skewers onto the grill pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Be careful not to overcook the eel, as it can become tough and rubbery.
Once the eel skewers are cooked, remove them from the grill pan and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving. You can garnish the skewers with chopped scallions or sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
In conclusion, eel skewers are a delicious and easy-to-make Japanese dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or for entertaining guests. The sweet and savory marinade adds depth of flavor to the succulent eel fillets, making this dish a standout on any menu. So next time you’re looking to switch up your dinner routine, give eel skewers a try!