Epicurious California Roll Salad

 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice

1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons rice vinegar* (not seasoned)

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon sesame seeds (preferably unhulled*)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled ginger*

4 scallions, cut lengthwise into thin 1-inch strips (about 3/4 cup)

1/2 cup finely shredded carrot

1 large seedless cucumber (about 1 pound), quartered lengthwise,  cored, and

2 sheets nori (paper-thin sheets of dried seaweed)*

1 avocado (preferably California)

1/4 pound surimi (mock crab legs) if desired, sliced thin

For dressing

2 teaspoons wasabi (Japanese green horseradish) powder*

1 tablespoon hot water

2 tablespoons cold water

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons ginger juice (squeezed from freshly grated gingerroot)

1. Into a large saucepan of salted boiling water stir rice and boil 10 minutes. Drain rice in a colander and rinse. Set colander over a kettle of boiling water (rice should not touch water) and steam rice, covered with a kitchen towel and lid, until fluffy and dry, 10 to 15 minutes (check water level in kettle occasionally, adding water if necessary).

   While rice is steaming, in a small saucepan bring 1/4 cup vinegar to a boil with sugar and salt, stirring until sugar is dissolved, and remove from heat. In a dry small skillet toast sesame seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until golden and fragrant and transfer to a small bowl.

   Transfer rice to a large bowl and stir in vinegar mixture. Cool rice and stir in sesame seeds, remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar, oil, ginger, scallions, carrot, and cucumber. Salad may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring salad to room temperature before proceeding.

   Dry-roast nori, 1 sheet at a time, directly above moderate heat (gas or electric burner), holding it at opposite corners and moving it back and forth, until it turns bright green, 30 seconds to 1 minute. With scissors cut nori into thin 2-inch-long strips.

   Peel and pit avocado. Quarter avoado and cut crosswise into thin slices. Add avocado to salad with surmimi if using and two thirds of nori strips and toss well

2. Make dressing:

3. In a small bowl stir wasabi powder into hot water and stir in cold water, soy sauce, and ginger juice.

   Serve salad sprinkled with remaining nori strips and drizzled with dressing.

Pioneer Woman Chocolate Cake

 Base Cake Recipe

Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE

2 c. 

flour

2 c. 

sugar

1/4 tsp. 

salt

4 tbsp. 

(heaping) cocoa powder

225g 

 butter

1 c. 

boiling water

1/2 c. 

buttermilk

2 

whole beaten eggs

1 tsp. 

baking soda

1 tsp. 

vanilla

FOR THE ICING

1/2 c. 

finely chopped pecans

1 3/4 

sticks butter

4 tbsp. 

(heaping) cocoa powder 

6 tbsp. 

milk

1 tsp. 

vanilla extract

1 lb. 

(minus 1/2 cup) powdered sugar

 

Directions

1. Note: I use an 9 x 13 casserole. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together. Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool. 
2. In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.
3. While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.
4. 
   
5. I never use this icing, I use coconut pecan, cream cheese, buttercream, fondant. 
6. For 2 layer cake bake in 9" pans for 25-30 minutes
7. large cupcakes for 15-22 minutes.
   
   

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

1 frozen, cut up banana
1 Tbs peanut butter
1.5 cups soy or almond milk

Blend until smooth

Zucchini Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder

3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil
2 1/4 cups white sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts


Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Artichoke Cheese Toast

1/4 cup butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14-ounce) can marinated artichoke hearts, drained well and chopped
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 French bread loaf (about 12 ounces)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat your oven to BROIL.
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the artichoke hearts, Mozzarella cheese, Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese and sour cream to the skillet and stir to blend. When completely combined remove from the heat.
Slice the bread lengthwise. Spoon the artichoke mixture evenly onto the bread. Broil for about 4-7 minutes or until cheese has melted an bread is hot. Do not walk away. Watch the bread closely or it could burn.

Nutella Swirl Banana Muffins

230 grams (1 3/4 cups) self raising flour
150 grams (3/4 cup) granulated white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 large free range eggs, lightly beaten
113 grams (1/2 cup) melted unsalted butter
3 large very ripe bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tbsp Nutella, at room temp

Pre-heat your oven to 180C or 350F. Line your muffin tins with paper liners, or usesilicone trays like I did.
In one bowl combine your flour, sugar & salt. In another combine your eggs, butter, mashed bananas & vanilla.
Tip one into the other and gently fold together.
You want your batter to be thoroughly mixed, but still lumpy and utterly hideous. (A smooth batter makes horrible banana bread, trust me.)
Divide your mixture between your cases, each one should be just about half full.
Take a teaspoon of slightly warm Nutella and pop a blob (technical term) onto the centre of each muffin. Use a cocktail stick or skewer to swirl the Nutella into the muffin without turning the whole thing chocolatey.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cookies

1 stick (1/2 cup or 4 ounces) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (i know we’re not baking them, it’s for flavor)
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup Greek yogurt or applesauce or peanut butter
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips, melted for dipping

In the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment (or with a large bowl and a wooden spoon) cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about three minutes in the machine. Beat in yogurt or applesauce or peanut butter along with the vanilla extract and stir to combine.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add all at once to the butter and sugar mixture and stir until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips and wanuts.

Scoop large spoonfuls or ice cream scoops onto a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Spear each dough ball with a cute plastic fork or a popsicle stick. Place in the freezer overnight or until frozen, at least three hours.

When ready to dip the balls, melt chocolate chips in a small saucepan over a low flame or in the microwave. Remove balls from the freezer and dip into warm chocolate. Return to the lined cookie sheet and return to the freezer to harden. Serve cold from the freezer.

Granola Bars

2-½ cups Rolled Oats
1-½ cup Nuts, Chopped, I Used Walnuts And Pecans
¼ cups Shredded Coconut
½ cups Raisins
6 Tablespoons Salted Butter
1 cup Brown Sugar
1-½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
6 Tablespoons Liquid Honey
2 Tablespoons Molasses


Toast oats, nuts and coconut in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, stirring often. Remove to a large bowl and toss with raisins.

Place butter, sugar, cinnamon, honey and molasses in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir into oat mixture until evenly coated. Let sit just until cool enough to handle.

In the meantime, line a 7×11 inch pan with plastic wrap. Spoon mixture into pan, pressing down to compact. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Once firmed, remove from pan, peel away plastic wrap and slice into 16 bars (half lengthwise and then into 8). Wrap individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, if desired. Store covered at room temperature.

Carrot Cake Pancakes

Pancakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (I used a smidge less)
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional, I skipped them)
2 tablespoons golden raisins (optional, ditto)
1 large egg
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups finely grated carrots (from about a 3/4 pound bundle whole carrots)
3 tablespoons butter, for griddle

Cream cheese topping
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Dash of ground cinnamon

Place a rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat to 200°F. This will keep the pancakes warmed as they’re fried in batches.

To make the pancakes: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and, if using, nuts and raisins. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar, buttermilk and vanilla. Stir in carrots. Stir carrot mixture into dry ingredients, stirring until just Incorporated. Let rest for five minutes while you make the cream cheese topping.

To make the cream cheese topping: In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy and lump-free. Whisk in powdered sugar, two tablespoons milk, vanilla and cinnamon. If you’d like the mixture thinner, add the remaining tablespoon of milk (I did not).

Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a cast-iron skillet or griddle pan. Spoon 2 tablespoons batter into the hot pan per pancake (to me, this seemed like too little but after experimenting with larger pancakes, I advise you to listen to Joy; It’s a wiggly batter and much easier to and cook in small puddles), flipping once, until pancakes are golden on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer finished pancakes to a serving dish or tray in the oven, to keep warm while you repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding more butter as needed.

Serve warm with cream cheese topping.

Smitten Kitchen

Cranberry and Lime Muffins

7 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
zest of 1 lime
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1/4 cup granulated sugar for topping

Put a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin pan with paper or foil liners

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Keep an eye on the butter. Melt and cook down the butter until little brown bits appear in the pan. The crackling will subside and butter will begin to brown fairly quickly after that. Keep a close eye. Remove from heat.

Whisk milk, egg, yolk, vanilla and lime zest until combined. Add the brown butter and whisk to combine.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl Add milk and butter mixture all at one and stir gently to combine. Gently but thoroughly fold in the cranberries.

Divide the batter among muffin cups and spread evenly.

Generously sprinkle with granulated sugar.

Bake until golden and crisp and a wooden pick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes then remove from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Joy the Baker

Chicken and Chorizo

1 whole, bone in chicken breast with skin (about 1 1/2 lbs), thighs can be substituted
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Tbs veggie oil
1 lb Chorizo sausage, sliced
2 celery ribs, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, diced
1/4 cup flour
2 Tbs tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth
1 15 oz can chopped tomatoes
1 cup long grain rice
Tabasco sauce, for serving

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

In a heavy pot, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook over moderately high heat until browned on the bottom, 4 minutes; turn over and cook until browned on the second side, 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and discard the skin.

In the same pan, brown the sausages over moderately high heat, 4 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the chicken.

Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pot. Add the celery, bell pepper and onion and cook over moderate heat until lightly browned, 10 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Stir in the flour and the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the flour smells nutty, about 3 minutes.
Add the broth and tomatoes; bring to a simmer. Add the chicken and sausages to the pot. Cover and simmer over low heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. (Your meat thermometer should read at least 165 degrees F.)

Transfer the chicken and sausages to a cutting board. Shred the chicken into bite-size pieces. Slice the sausages into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Return both to the pot, and stir in the scallions and rice. Simmer until heated through, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper and serve with Tabasco

Adapted from Ezra Poundcake

Zucchini Bread Pancakes

2 large eggs
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons light brown, dark brown or granulated sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk or 2 tablespoons each of milk and plain yogurt, whisked until smooth
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini (from about 9 ounces whole, or 1 1/2 medium zucchini), heaping cups are fine
1 cup all-purpose flour (half can seamlessly be swapped with a whole wheat flour)
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg

Butter or oil, for coating skillet

In a large bowl, combine eggs, olive oil, sugar, buttermilk and vanilla until smooth. Stir in zucchini shreds. In a smaller bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir dry ingredients into zucchini batter, mixing until just combined.

Preheat oven to 200°F and place a tray — foil-lined if you’re into doing fewer dishes later — on a middle rack.

Heat a large, heavy skillet (my favorite for pancakes is a cast-iron) over medium heat. Once hot, melt a pat of butter in pan and swirl it around until it sizzles. Scoop scant 1/4-cup dollops of batter (mine were about 3 tablespoons each) in pan so the puddles do not touch. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook another minute or two, until golden underneath. Transfer pancakes to prepared pan to keep warm as well as ensure that they’re all cooked through when they’re served. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm. Repeat next weekend.

Smitten Kitchen

Sweet Potato Garlic Knots

•  1 cup Warm Water
• 1 envelope (7g Envelope) Active Dry Yeast
• 2 Tablespoons Honey Or Agave Nectar
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil,, Plus More To Oil The Bowl
• ½ cups Sweet Potato Puree (fresh Or Canned)
• 3-½ cups Unbleached Bread Flour
• 1-½ teaspoon Coarse Kosher Salt
• Minced Garlic And Olive Oil, To Brush On Baked Knots

Note: To make sweet potato puree, wash and peel sweet potato and cut into 1-inch squares. Place in a large pot and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for 20-25 minutes or until soft. Remove from heat and drain into a colander and return to the pot. Mash and allow them to sit while you prepare your other ingredients.  I would try puree that had been roasted.

1. Pour warm water into a medium bowl and slowly whisk in yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes, then add honey, olive oil and mashed sweet potato. Whisk until thoroughly combined and smooth.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt. Slowly stir in wet ingredients and continue to stir until it becomes impossible to stir more. Then use your hands to continue mixing and slowly start kneading your dough, adding more flour to your hands to keep it from sticking.
3. Once you’ve created your dough ball, add olive oil to the bottom of your bowl and roll the dough ball in it until it is coated. Cover with Saran wrap or a damp towel and store in a dry place (I use my microwave) for two hours.
4. Around the last 15-minute mark, preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Divide your dough into pieces you can easily hold in your fist and roll them into long strips around 8 or 9-inches long. Don’t worry if they’re skinny, they’ll still get fat when they bake. Tie each into a knot, tuck the edges under each side, then place each on the pizza stone.
5. Bake until golden, around 10-15 minutes. Brush with minced garlic and olive oil immediately after removing from oven. Allow to cool 3-5 minutes.

Enchilada Sauce

• 1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
• 1 Tablespoon All-purpose Flour
• 1 can (28 Ounce) Enchilada Or Red Sauce
• 2 cups Chicken Broth
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• 2 Tablespoons Chopped Cilantro

In a large saucepan over medium heat, add oil and flour and whisk together to make a paste, cooking for one minute. Pour in the red sauce, chicken broth, cilantro, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30-45 minutes

Pioneer Woman

Amazing Mexican Rice

12 ounces tomatoes, very ripe and cored (I used canned)
1 medium white onion
3 medium jalapenos (I used less for Baby)
2 cups long grain white rice
1/3 cup canola oil
4 minced garlic cloves
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste (may omit if using canned tomatoes)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, minced
1 lime


Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350.

Process tomato and onion in processor or blender until pureed and thoroughly smooth. Transfer mixture to measuring cup and reserve exactly 2 cups. Discard excess.

Remove ribs and seeds from 2 jalapenos and discard. Mince flesh and set aside.

Heat oil in heavy bottomed oven safe 12 inch straight sided sautee pan or Dutch oven with tight fitting lid over low-medium heat about 2 minutes. (I used a pot and transferred to a glass baking dish with a lid) Drop a few rice grains in and if they sizzle then it is ready. Add rice and fry stirring until rice is light golden and translucent, about 6-8 minutes. Be careful that the oil doesn't get too hot too fast or the oil will splatter.

Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and minced jalapenos and cook , stirring constantly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Stir in broth, pureed mixture,tomato paste, and salt. Increase heat to medium high, and bring to a boil.

Cover pan and transfer pan to oven to bake until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, 30-35 minutes.Stir well after 15 minutes.

Stir in cilantro, minced jalapeno to taste, and pass lime wedges separately.

This rice had even better flavor after being re-heated in the oven.

Quinoa and Nectarines

1 cup Quinoa 1 TABLESPOON APPLE CIDER VINEGAR OR LEMON JUICE 1/2 TEASPOON DIJON MUSTARD 1/4 TEASPOON SEA SALT 1/4 TEASPOON GROUND BLACK PEPPER 2 TABLESPOONS EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 2 NECTARINES OR PEACHES, DICED 1 BUNCH WATERCRESS, STEMS REMOVED AND LEAVES SLICED (ABOUT 1 1/2 CUPS PACKED LEAVES) 1/2 CUP PISTACHIOS, CHOPPED 1/4 CUP THINLY SLICED SHALLOT Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in couscous, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil in a thin steady stream until the dressing thickens. Add couscous, nectarines, watercress, pistachios and shallots to bowl. Toss to combine. Serve warm or chilled. Ezra Poundcake

Mom's Bran Muffins - taste of childhood

1 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup oil 2 eggs 2 cups Buttermilk 2 1/2 cup flour 2 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup boiling water (sometimes it takes a little more water to soften them) 2 cups Kellogs All-Bran (bran flakes) 1/2 cup Nabisco All-Bran (these should be bran sticks) 1 cup raisins (optional for you!) Pour boiling water over bran and raisins, set aside Blend together sugar, oil, eggs, buttermilk, flour, salt and soda. Add bran to sugar, flour mixture Pour into greased muffin tins. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 15 to 20 minutes. Wet mixture may be kept in the refrigerator for several weeks, and they are better when you eat them freshly made.

Chicken Korma

1.kg Chicken breast or mini breast fillets
1 heaped tablespoon of finely grated fresh ginger
3 cloves of garlic, minced
150g thick (plain) yogurt
1 dried red chilli
2 finely chopped onions
1 tbsp ghee or veg. oil
1 tbsp ground coriander
Pinch of ground black pepper
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
water
75g creamed coconut
salt, to taste
2 heaped tbsps ground almonds
finely chopped Coriander Leaves, to garnish
juice of 1/2 lemon

Cut the chicken breasts into bite sized chunks. Mix the chicken with the ginger, garlic and yogurt. Cover and marinade for 12 hours or in the fridge overnight.

Liquidise the chopped onion and red chillies, add a little water if you need to. blend til smooth.

Heat the ghee/oil in a pan. Add the ground coriander, ground black pepper, turmeric and garam masala and stir fry for about 1-minute over a low heat.

Turn up the heat, add the onion and chilli paste and stir fry for 10-minutes. Add the chicken and the marinade and continue to stir fry for another 10-minutes. Add the creamed coconut and enough water to *just* cover the chicken and bring to the boil, stirring until the coconut is dissolved. Stir in the ground almonds.

Reduce heat to low, cover the pan and simmer until the chicken is tender (30-40 minutes).

Remove from heat, add lemon juice and salt to taste. Mix well.

Jamie Oliver Forums

Spinach Paneer

750g/1½lb baby spinach, washed*
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 large onion, chopped
thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into long julienne
1½ tbsp chopped garlic
1-2 green chillies, whole
2 tsp ground coriander
salt, to taste
250g/8¾oz ready-made paneer (available from some supermarkets and Asian grocers), cut into cubes
½-1 tsp garam masala
6 tbsp whole milk, or 4 tbsp double cream
1-2 tsp lemon juice, or to taste

Blanch the spinach in hot water for three minutes or until wilted. Drain into a colander and run cold water over it until cool. In a food processor or blender, blend to a smooth paste and set aside. *If you use frozen spinach, you can omit this step

Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan. Add the cumin and fry for about 30 seconds, until fragrant, then add the onion and fry over a low heat for about six minutes, until soft. Add the ginger, garlic and chillies and cook for a further minute.

Add the ground coriander and salt to taste. Cook for another 30 seconds then add the spinach and a splash of water if necessary. The mixture should be loose but not watery. Bring to a boil and then simmer for three minutes.

Add the paneer cubes, garam masala and milk or cream. Stir and cook for a few minutes or until the spinach is nice and creamy. Stir in the lemon juice to taste. Serve with pilaff rice or naan bread.

BBC

Teriyaki Chicken

3/4 cup soy sauce* (or mix tamari** and water in equal proportions to make 3/4 cup)
3/4 cup sake
3/4 cup mirin
4 Tbsp sugar
A 1-inch piece of ginger, grated fine
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds total (set out for 30 minutes to come to room temp)
2-3 Tbsp sesame seeds

Mix the grated ginger, sugar, soy sauce, sake and mirin in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the chicken breasts, return to a simmer, then lower the heat to the lowest possible setting (warm if you can), on your smallest burner, and cover. The idea is to cook the chicken as gently as possible, below a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes. If you are working with somewhat large chicken breasts, you may need to cook them longer, or cut them in half before cooking.

While the chicken is poaching, toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan until they begin to brown. Move to a small bowl and set aside.

Remove the chicken breasts from the teryaki sauce, set on a plate and wrap with foil. Bring the sauce back to a boil and boil vigorously until the sauce is reduced to a syrup, about 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on the sauce, stirring it occasionally.

To serve, slice the chicken breasts, cover with the teriyaki sauce and sprinkle sesame seeds on them. Serve with plain white rice.

Simply Recipes