Sunday, December 12, 2010

You Don't Have to be Rich, But...

Cooking Adventure: Baked Teriyaki Chicken
Source: All Recipes
The Bellydance Soundtrack: I got... by Beats Antique
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 1hr. 20min.

...It definitely helps. My husband was complaining that I never use the cookbooks we have in the house, and this is very true. Aside from a few choice recipes that are tried and true, I rarely venture outside the Internet and Bon Appetit magazine for new concoctions. So, in an effort to break away from the usual, I took down Mario Batali's book "Molto Italiano". Looking through, here were some of the ingredients listed for some of the simplest recipes:

Manila Clams
Red Mullet
Cremini Mushrooms
Pancetta
Prosciutto di Parma
Dried Shrimp
The Golden Fleece

Okay, so that last one was an add-on on my part, but you get the idea. Apparently, being a celebrity chef must pay really well, because the only place I can go to find any of this is the Metcalfe grocery store in Madison - where, it just so happens, they were having a free chocolate and wine tasting. And whenever there's odd food and mixed with free food I'm there.

The first, chocolatey part was definitely the best bit of the visit. Seventy-two different flavors to choose from! And I really have to recommend the lavender chocolate. The best way to describe it is the way one of the grocery store staff did: "It tastes like it smells! Awesome!" 

The second, eye-popping part can be best described as the walking through hell bit. All the food looked so good. Fresh-baked foccacia, Tilapia and whole Striped Bass, prosciutto (very thinly sliced ham), and... no... could it be? It is! TAQUITOS! ...My grocery store doesn't sell them anymore. And aside from the Taquitos, everything was locally made, organic, and fiscally beyond my reach - like someone was taunting me with a carrot on a string. Well, or a Taquito.

This leads to my dinner tonight, of Baked Teriyaki Chicken. While it didn't come from several local chickens individually loved and read bedtime stories every night until they finally yelled, "Eat us! We can take no more love!", it was inexpensive and tasty. However, my mission to decrease my food budget and shop at this magical grocery store has begun. ...But I think Mario Batali will stay on the shelf a bit longer. Until I get a raise, that is.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 skinless chicken thighs

Directions (WARNING Don't skimp on lining your baking tray with aluminum foil! This stuff is so sticky that it can peel the non-stick right off your tray!)
1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles. 
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). 
3. Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again. 
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over, and bake for another 30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Brush with sauce every 10 minutes during cooking.

6 comments:

Deborah Castellano said...

I got scolded about the same thing in my house. You just need to get a vintage cookbook and say the magic words.

Oh look honey! Meat in aspic!

You will never be bothered again. ;p

Magaly Guerrero said...

That looks yummy! And I just ate, so that says something.

I know what you mean about the food budget. I made Thanksgiving Dinner for my entire family (14 adults 5 children) and wow!$$$$ They were looking at me for Winter Solstice dinner too, and I flashed them my friendliest glare.

Diandra said...

Sounds nice, I may try it!

And yes, some cookbooks are full of stuff you can't get anywhere without giving a leg (and maybe a kidney for the pie) in return. My cookbook selection, luckily, has almost none of that nonsense, and I love going through them, scribbling on the pages, making small changes or simply writing YUCK!! ^^

Mrs BC said...

You are very funny & this chicken looks very yummy. As long as they haven't been read bedtime stories, then I don't want to eat them!

Also, I have a bit of a crush on Mario Batali. Gross, I know.

Mrs BC
xx

Unknown said...

@Mrs. BC: Nah, I could see that. He works the red hair. :) Plus, who wouldn't want a rich TV chef for a boyfriend? ...Do you suppose he'd cook for you every night, or be so tired of cooking that all he wants to eat is take-out? :P

Anonymous said...

Drooling on the keyboard.

I'm a newcomer to your blog and I love it!

p.s. I grabbed your button and would love if you'd grab mine too : )