Yakitori
I always feel uncomfordable preparing Japanese food. I decided to start with something simple that doesn’t require too much precision and special skills from the food preparer. Yakitori (焼き鳥) means bird on a skewer in Japanese. This food can be prepared both on the grill or in the pan. This cooking technique usually involves two-step cooking process, first simmering on medium heat and then caramelizing on low heat. A mixture of mirin, soy sauce and sugar can be used for caramelizing, but Teryaki sauce is also ideal fot that. The browned meat is cooked on low heat in a small amount of Teryaki sauce until the sauce sticks to the meat. It is important not to let the meat burn during caramelization.
Japanese spice mix Shichi-mi tōgarashi which is a mixture of 7 different spices, called Shichi-mi tōgarashi, is perfect got Yakitori. You can make Shichi-mi tōgarashi yourself but it is also available in Japanese spice stores. For seasoning just salt and pepper works also well.
Percect foor to serve it for guests.
Preparation time: 30 min
Level: Medium
Serves: two
Ingredients:
500 g chicken fillet, cut into 2.5 cm pieces.
4-5 stalks of green onions, of which only the white part should be used
50 ml Teriyaki sauce
Bamboo sticks cut short
3-4 tablespoons cooking oil for frying
Salt and pepper or shichimi togarashi 7 spice mixture for seasoning
Optional, shake over with sesame seeds
Preparation:
- Cut the chicken fillet into 2.5 cm pieces and the white part of the green onion into pieces about 3 to 4 cm long. Season with salt and pepper or a mixture of 7 spices.
- Put the meat and onion alternately onto the bamboo skewers, 3-4 pieces of meat and onion per skewer
- Heat 3-4 tablespoons of oil in a pan and fry the meat on medium heat. When the meat starts to brown, cover the pan with a lid and simmer for about 4-5 minutes until the meat is tender.
- Pour the Teriyaki sauce into the pan and turn the skewers in the sauce until it starts to evaporate, thicken, caramelize, and stick to the chicken pieces.
- Place the skewers on a plate and serve hot immediately.
Ready!!
