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Friday, May 9, 2008

Take-Out Sans Box



No matter now gourmet we may feel at times, I doubt that even the most discerning of palates would eschew the wonders of the local, corner Chinese take-out place - you know, the one you might discover when you first move into an area and haven't yet unpacked your pots and pans because it's 4AM and the movers just finished unloading - and breaking - your furniture...

OK, now I am speaking purely from personal experience. Return frequently to that little corner kitchen we did, enjoying the bright uniqueness of their flavors that elevated them above every other take-out place along the way. But when you're craving healthy Chinese take-out... make your own! I adore sesame anything - sesame chicken, sesame tofu... so I created a version that's simmered, not fried, in a thick, luxurious sauce that infuses the end result with even more explosive flavor than the classic take-out version! Now if only I could find some of the cool little paper boxes...



Sesame Chicken or Tofu

1/2 cup raw sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
1/8 cup dried minced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp dried ginger
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2"X1" strips, OR 2 packages firm tofu, drained and cut into 1" cubes
1 T olive oil
2 cups brown rice, cooked in a rice cooker or according to package directions



~ Whisk together the raw sugar, ketchup, sesame oil, onion, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.
~ Pour the sauce over the chicken or tofu, and allow to marinade for at least 15 minutes (if you like, you can plop the chicken or tofu in the marinade in the morning, stick the whole shebang in the fridge, and then cook it that night, but this lengthy marinade isn't mandatory)
~ Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. With a slotted spoon, lift the chicken or tofu out of the sauce and into the skillet, making sure to save the sauce.
~ Saute the chicken until just cooked through (slice 1 piece open to test), or the tofu until firmed on the outside.
~ Pour in the marinade, and simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened a bit - approx. 5 minutes. There will be plenty of sauce... because...
~ Serve the chicken or tofu and the sesame sauce with lots of brown rice to soak up the scrumptious sauce!


5 comments:

  1. great way to re-create a classic Chinese take-out meal!

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  2. Astra, Mochachorita (sp) is hosting a Chinese food event...you should enter this dish...perfect fit!

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  3. Sesame chicken is one of my favorites. Your looks good and sounds really tasty!

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  4. *groan* I crave this sort of food far too often! Must try your (healthier) version!

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  5. VeggieGirl, thank you so much!

    Peter, thank you soooo much for the suggestion! You rock!

    Kevin, thank you! It's absolutely one of my favs too... :-)

    Ann, thank you! I hope you enjoy! I completely sympathize in the craving department... ;-)

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