Japanese Chicken

You know the smell that wafts at you in the food court? The one you wish you could find among all the vendors? Well this is it. Now you can make it in your own kitchen. Don't walk, run out to pick up the ingredients, You won't be disappointed!

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks or thighs, skin on (the skin is important for flavor)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and bruised
• 1 small hot chili pepper, slit open and seeds removed

Directions:

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan over a high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes. Increase the heat; turning the chicken frequently in the sauce and cook until the liquid has reduced to a sticky glaze.

Arrange the chicken on a serving platter, removing the garlic.

Note: It's a glaze rather than a sauce, so there's not a whole lot of it. Make sure you reduce it until it's thick and sticky.

P.S. Don't leave the doors or windows open or you'll have the neighbors wandering over to see what smells so good!

Source: A Japanese exchange student passed on the recipe from her Mom when she came to visit the US.

By Faith Vandriel from Lynden, WA