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Tag: sweet chili garlic sauce

Sesame Glazed Chicken

Sesame Glazed Chicken

  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

Toast the peppercorns in a cast iron skillet on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Take out and cool and grind in a spice grinder. Keep aside.

  • 2 medium shallots, ends cut off
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon extra light olive oil
  • Salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the shallots and garlic cloves on a piece of aluminum foil. Add the oil and salt, wrap well and roast for about half an hour. Let cool and keep aside.

  • 1½ pound chicken breast cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon sweet chili garlic sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tamari
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Marinate the chicken pieces in the chili garlic sauce, tamari and sesame seeds. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.

Glaze

  • ½ cup oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tamari
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider

Add the oyster sauce, tamari, rice vinegar and apple cider to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes till the sauce gets thick. Add the roasted shallots and garlic. Mix well and blend till smooth. Check for seasonings and keep aside.

  • 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
  • 1/3 cup green onions, chopped

Heat a large saucepan and add the oil. Brown the chicken pieces in 2 to 3 batches, browning both sides. Take the pieces out and keep aside.
Add the glaze in the saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the chicken pieces and simmer till the chicken is cooked through- about 3 to 4 minutes. Garnish with green onions and serve hot.

Top Ten Asian Ingredients…

Top Ten Asian IngredientsI am a big believer in a well stocked pantry. Since I cook all the time and thing about food 24/7, I make sure my fridge and pantry are full with the right ingredients. I love to be able to conjure something up in my mind and make it happen in the kitchen without going to the store.

Many people ask me constantly what I have in my pantry and fridge, and what they should have in theirs. I feel you need to think about your cooking repertoire and what kind of cuisines you  make. Once you have a handle on the kinds of dishes you normally make- you can make a list of all the ingredients you need.

When I go grocery shopping- which I am ashamed (not really) to admit is almost every day- I go through the isles to remind me if I need anything to replenish my pantry.

Since I am doing top ten lists- yes I feel like David Letterman once again, I decided to start with listing the top ten Asian ingredients.

  1. Rice Vinegar– I love having this in my pantry. Great for stir fries, salads and curries.
  2. Tamari– I use this instead of soy sauce. This is a more concentrated version of it so a little goes a long way and it doesn’t make the dishes too watery.
  3. Toasted Sesame Oil– This has a delicious nutty flavor. I start my stir fries with a teaspoon of this oil. It is also great for salad dressings. Store it in the fridge.
  4. Fish Sauce– It has a wonderful underlying nutty, salty flavor. Don’t smell it while using it and you will love it.
  5. Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce– It can be found in any grocery store in the Asian isle. Great as a dipping sauce or part of a stir fry sauce.
  6. Honey- I love, love honey. I have all sorts in my pantry. It is great to sweeten anything from sauces, to salad dressings.
  7. Fresh Ginger- What a versatile ingredient. Stays forever in your fridge. Great for curries, stir fries and desserts.
  8. Garlic- I would be lost without garlic. I need to have lots of it in my vegetable basket. I put it in everything.
  9. Green Onions- They have a great, light onion flavor AND they look pretty. Excellent as a garnish on top.
  10. Light Coconut Meal- Great for Thai dishes and desserts. I use the light version since there is no difference in flavor. I always have a few cans in my pantry.

I would love to hear your top ten Asian ingredients….