Thursday, February 12, 2009

CEIMB: Sesame-Teriyaki Chicken Thighs


This week's CEIMB recipe for Sesame-Teriyaki Chicken Thighs was chosen by Jessica of Johnstone's Vin Blanc. I was excited to see this recipe picked; I love Chinese food, but don't cook it nearly enough. I just never think to cook it for some reason. When I mentally travel around the world on those nights when I can't figure out what to make for dinner, I usually don't get any further than Mexico or Italy. But the stars definitely aligned for Chinese food this week. It was already on my brain -- I went out for Chinese with some friends on Saturday night. It's funny, when I worked in a restaurant in my early 20s, everyone once in a while a group of women would come in -- they looked old to me at the time, but they were probably just in their 30s -- and you could just tell by the crazed look in their eyes that they didn't get out much and that this dinner was a BIG DEAL for them. We would groan if they ended up in our section, because it was obvious from the outset that they'd be settling in for the night and laughing too loud at their own dumb jokes.

Well, I am now one of Those Women. It used to be that when we went out for one of these twice-annual GNOs, we'd choose the restaurant based on the quality of the food. Then when we got kicked out of the restaurant we'd move to Starbucks, and when Starbucks closed we'd move to either the parking lot or the Whattaburger (with all of the local high school kids) to continue our Very Important Conversation. At that point, the husbands would start calling to make sure that nobody was in a ditch (I am proud to say that my husband has NEVER rung my phone during a GNO -- he knows me well enough to know that I am not in a ditch, but in a parking lot somewhere turbo-talking, and that I will show up eventually). Anyway, all of that transitioning between talking venues was really disruptive to our conversation flow, so we were thrilled when we stumbled upon this Chinese place, which will let us sit there and gab long enough to cut out the need for the intermediate Starbucks stop. Now it's dinner, and then straight to the parking lot or Whattaburger.

So we had a great time at the Chinese restaurant the other night, and dinner was capped off by the best fortune EVER:

"You will do better in real estate than in stocks."

That is like saying "You will do better in third circle of hell than in the fourth circle" -- but hey, thanks for the heads up, fortune.



So I was looking forward to cooking some Chinese this week. These sesame chicken thighs start with THE BEST TERIYAKI SAUCE EVER!!! I am not kidding -- I could drink this stuff through a straw. It is THAT good. It's made with soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper. SO easy, and amazingly good. I've actually made this once before, and since I knew how good it was I doubled the recipe so that I can use it later this week -- maybe in some fried rice, maybe as a pork tenderloin marinade. It keeps in the fridge for a week, so it makes sense to double it.

Marinate the chicken thighs in a half cup of the sauce, for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. I would say "the longer the better" with the marinating. Mine only marinated for an hour or so, and I didn't think they were quite flavorful enough (which was easily rectified by spooning some of the extra sauce onto the chicken before eating it, but still). So I'd change that instruction to say "marinate for at least four hours, or overnight." After they marinate, broil them for 8 minutes per side, and then add some sesame seeds to the top and broil for another couple of minutes. That's it!

David and I really liked these. The teriyaki sauce will most definitely show up regularly in my rotation, even if I use it on chicken breasts, pork and vegetables more than chicken thighs. Thank you for picking this, Jessica -- we loved it!

*****************************

Also, some of my favorite bloggers have recently passed on some very cool awards to me. And very interesting awards, too! I think there should be separate "blog award designer" awards for the behind-the-scenes inventors of Bloggys. Step up and be recognized, people!

In any event, I never thought that anyone would read my blog when I started blogging. In fact, I remember my poor hubs kind of cringing when I first told him that I set up a blog, presumably because he is well aware of my loose cannon tendencies, but I told him that he didn't need to worry, because nobody was going to read it anyway (note that I could not tell him that he didn't need to worry because I would not be a loose cannon). So to know that people actually read my blog, and like it, is really exciting and flattering. These awards come from some of my very favorite bloggers, which makes them all the more thrilling. Thank you!

Some of these awards might come with rules, but despite carrying on on Tuesday about how I am a rule follower, I am just going to pass these out all willy-nilly like, without any regard for the rules. Yes, it does make me kind of uncomfortable.

Barbara at Barbara Bakes passed on the Kreative Blogger Award:



I am going to pass this on to the wonderful Vibi at La Casserole Carree. My day is always a little bit better for having visited Vibi's blog.

And also to pinkstripes, an all-around talented baker, cook and blogger, and one of my favorite stops.

Melissa at Love at First Bite and Barbara at Barbara at Barbara Bakes shared the uber-cool Uber Amazing Blog Award:



I am going to pass this one on to Pam at For the Love of Cooking. Pam, you have a knack for posting what I am craving for dinner before I even know I am craving it!

And also to Jess at cookbookhabit. I love following Jess's adventures as she works her way through her cookbook collection!

Aggie at Aggie's Kitchen and Michelle at Alwayz Bakin' shared the Butterfly Award.



I'm going to pass this one on to Heather at Diary of a Fanatic Foodie. Heather is a lawyer who is generous with sharing her war stories, both in the kitchen and in the courtroom. Entertains me AND gives me good things to eat = Butterfly Award material.

And to Jessica at A Singleton in the Kitchen for a great blog, and for doing a fantastic job of feeding Dudley while he's visiting. My grandmother would be proud!

Shari at Whisk: A Food Blog shared the Lemonade Award. Award motto: When Life Gives you Lemons, Make Lemonade. Love that philosophy! It is intended for blogs that show "great gratitude and/or attitude."



This one goes to Steph at Obsessed with Baking. I have great gratitude for Steph's blog, because the girl knows how to bake -- I can always go there and know that I will come away with the perfect muffin/cookie/biscuit recipe.

And Katrina of Baking and Boys -- a fun mom with a really fun, really tasty blog!

38 comments:

What's for Supper? said...

Those look great. Some of mine turned out burnt from broiling them but yours look perfect. Not that it affected the taste. They were quite good.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

It looks like you are on a roll of good recipes with Ellie! Nothing like a sauce so versatile that you can use it if you run out of OJ! We totally had those GNO's where we ended up parked somewhere just talking away. No really, officer! Maybe it's a blessing to cut out the caffeine hit in the middle?
Nancy

The Blonde Duck said...

Congrats on your awards! You deserve them. And this chicken looks awesome!

Audrey said...

There's a love poem by Ogden Nash (I know, not exactly a romantic poetry kind of poet) that says something like "When with friends to lunch you drive, I never know if you're alive." (We read it at my parents' 50th anniversary, because I'm sure my dad thinks that way when my mom has a GNO (well, GDO anyway). I have a feeling I will soon be writing love poems to this teriyaki sauce ... I have a pork tenderloin in the freezer, and you had me st the list of ingredients, but with your endorsement, as an award-winning blogger, how can I NOT love it? Congratulations on all your awards...all so very well deserved. (And you shared them with so many of my (other) favorites!

natalia said...

I'll have to try these !!

Jessica said...

Yea, so glad you liked the dish! I love that you served it with rice and veggies, great idea! It would be great to make extra sauce and saute the veggies in it too.

Jessica said...

Thanks for the award! Being an OCD rule-follower also means that I love things like awards too because then I get to prove how I follow the rules.

Your chicken teriyaki looks FANTASTIC! Yum! I luh luh love teriyaki sauce. I am going to have to purchase this cookbook. I've been putting it off and avoiding it like mad but all of the CEIMB posts are convincing me that I need it. And then I'll make the teriyaki! Thanks for the yummy inspiration.

Aggie said...

I just got my Ellie Krieger cookbook...so excited! Love this recipe, will be trying it soon!! I have been cooking more Chinese lately...it's keeping me from getting to much takeout!

Aggie said...

Ok...and I am cracking up at the term "turbo talking"!!

Maria said...

Congrats on all of your awards! Well deserved. I always look forward to your posts!
The marinade looks fabulous!! I want to try this one!

Anonymous said...

Your chicken looks great. I also agree that next time I would marinate them overnight. The best fortune I ever got was "sometimes there is no fortune in a fortune cookie" What???

Pamela said...

Just so you know, I am now going to start using the term "turbo talking" on a regular basis. The chicken looks great and I think I will try it on some pork, too. Congrats on the awards. You're fabulous, DAHLING!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your blogger awards! I agree - your blog is interesting reading.
As for the CEimB recipe, looks great. We're giving it a go tonight.

Steph said...

I love teriyaki sauce, my mom cooks with it all the time. Have you ever tried Korean marinades? They are even better!! Thanks for the award Cathy. I always visit your blog for the best laughs. There's never a time I leave without laughing hysterically.

vibi said...

Thank you so much Cathy for the award! I'm all the more amazed by the fact that it is an English reader giving it to a French writer! WOW! Thanks a million, I'm very flattered!

Peggy said...

You are such an award hog. You deserve all of them though! Good job on the thighs. I liked these too!

Jennifer said...

Cathy - your chicken looks great! And you always have such good stories to go along with the recipe! And those awards! That's more bling than Elton John has on his mantle! Congrats on all the awards!!

Pam said...

Okay, I could probably drink that teriyaki sauce too. I can't wait to make these little beauties.

Congrats on all of your awards - you totally deserve them. Thanks for passing on the award to me - it means a lot.

Pam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NKP said...

Glad to hear this one is such a winner! I will definitely give it a try.. as soon as thighs are on sale!
I know what you mean about real estate - how come we are paying more property taxes when they are worth less? Boggles the mind.
Congrats on your awards, you deserve them - always look forward to reading what's going on in your life and your kitchen.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for the award! And the chicken looks awesome - after 8 months of having to forgo sushi in favor of boring tempura and teriyaki, I am actually starting to LIKE teriyaki chicken. I'll have to try the Ellie version. I'd like to say my husband has never called during a GNO, but he broke that rule about a month ago. Ice storm + 1 AM (I thought it was 11 PM) = freak out!

Mary Ann said...

Great idea to make double and use it later in the week. I was thinking I would do something like that too. Your chicken looks so yummy.
You made me laugh about your GNO story. I live for those nights!

Melissa said...

I am totally one of THOSE women too. I bet all of the waiters hate me! And I am totally trying this recipe. I want teriyaki sauce that's so good I want to eat it straight from the bowl!

Heather said...

thanks for the award :D i'm horrendously terrible at actually posting them, but I had a list to do soon! please don't hate me if i take awhile :)

the chicken looks amazing! i never remember to use meat other than a skinless breast, but having the skin and bone adds so much flavor. these sound delicious :)

Andrea at Nummy Kitchen said...

I loved reading about your GNOs, how fun! I need to try that teriyaki sauce, easy and delicious sound perfect to me :) I'm always making Chinese food at home and trying to figure out the perfect sauces, you know, the recipe you have so you don't have to try a bunch of other mediocre ones and try to think back which was better, I just want one good one. And thanks to this post I am now craving Chinese food!

Unknown said...

First of all, that dish looks so tasty! Second, congrats on the awards!!! Yay!

Pamela said...

Me again...I know you just got all of these great awards, but I have some I would like to share with you, too! Stop by when you get a minute.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Congrats on your awards; you really deserve them. I love the chicken, the marinade sounds awesome!

Dewi said...

Congratulation on your awards Cathy!

I love this chicken very much, because I can get to eat it with my finger.. Delicious.
Cheers,
Elra

Unknown said...

lovely recipe... congratulations on your awards and happy valentine's day!!! :)

Katrina said...

Sorry I'm a little late, but THANKS for the blog award! Nice.
Love YOUR blog and your food and your writing!

AmyRuth said...

Heyo Heyo Heyoooo Congratulations on all those fun blog awards. Did you hear the music in the first line? he he Anyway, its always fun to receive recognition for all the joy you share with your readers, (actually full out rolling in the floor laughing). Anyway, if you like salmon, that sauce would be delish for a quick meal there too. You probably already know this what with all the kitchen magic going on but fish doesn't have to bathe quite as long as the "other white meats." Looks good and sounds delish. Congratulations again.
AmyRuth

Leslie said...

This was a great teriyaki, wasn't it! I usually find them so salty and harsh, but not this one. Love your blog! Congrats on all of these wonderful awards!

Cakelaw said...

Yum - this chicken dish looks devine. Congrats on the awards!

Donna-FFW said...

This teriyake chicken dish looks fabulous! I love th flavor combination , so my taste. Just disocvered your blog, and am enjoying it! Congrats on your awards!

Anonymous said...

Hey! Thanks for the award. I've been out of town and just saw your note. Cool beans!

Your teriyaki chicken looks wonderful.

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