Happy Chinese New Year!
It is the year of the horse. “The Horse symbolizes such character traits as strength, energy, and an outgoing nature. Extremely animated, Horses thrive when they’re the center of attention. Always in search of a good time, Horses keep the crowds happy with their humor and their wit.” (credit http://www.chinesezodiac.com/horse.php)
Our Favorite Chinese Inspired Dinner is our version of Chicken Teriyaki with Vegetables.
Teriyaki chicken is so easy, you can easily make it on a week night – and everyone loves it. You can fill it with all kinds of vegetables – red bell pepper, green pepper, onion, tomato, mushrooms, broccoli, and/or fresh pineapple chunks.
We like onion, broccoli, and red pepper. Gotta have the red – it makes it look so festive, doesn’t it?
And if that’s not enough vegetables for you – we often serve it with green beans.
Here’s the Recipe –
Sauce –
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup pineapple juice
2 teaspoons fresh chopped ginger root, or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon sugar
1 clove garlic, chopped, or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
pinch of red pepper flakes (to taste)
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 tablespoon cold water
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Oil for cooking the chicken (preferably coconut oil)
2 – 3 cups boneless chicken breast cut into chunks, sprinkled with garlic powder
Your choice of vegetables, cut into 1 inch chunks
2 cups cooked rice
You should have your vegetables washed and cut up before you start.
Place a little coconut oil, or canola oil, or even a little butter in a large sauté pan or wok – just enough to coat the pan. Cook the chicken about 3 or 4 minutes per side until done through, but not overcooked.
Meanwhile, place the sauce ingredients in a cup or bowl. Mix well.
Get your rice started.
Put the sauce into the pan with the chicken. If you are using bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or pineapple – put them in now too.
Cook and stir over medium heat until the sauce starts to thicken.
Lower heat, cover, and let simmer for a couple of minutes.
If you are using broccoli florets, put them in and let it simmer a couple of minutes.
If you are using tomatoes, put them in and let simmer for just another couple of minutes.
Each vegetable takes a different time to cook to perfection. I have worked this all out so nothing is too mushy.
Spoon the chicken and vegetables over the rice. Make sure to coat with sauce.
I usually serve with some sort of bread.
This served 5 hearty appetites with no leftovers.
When you have to buy a whole can of pineapple juice, you can freeze 1/2 cup portions to have on hand. Or you can freeze it in ice cube trays and then put them in a container once they’re frozen.
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