Lunch before the Oscars

I grilled chicken meatballs for lunch before the Oscars on Sunday. Here is the easy recipe.

Chicken Yakitori

Ingredients:

Ground Chicken 1 lb

Shallot 1 – finely chopped

Mirin ¼ cup + 2 tbsp

Sake ¼ cup

Soy sauce (preferably light) ¼ cup

Brown sugar 2 tbsp

Kosher salt

Fresh ground pepper

Zest of 1 lemon

Olive oil spray or other cooking spray

Bamboo skewers

Method:

Soak the skewers in water.  Pre-heat the oven to 375* F.

In a non-reactive bowl, mix the ground chicken, the chopped shallots, lemon zest, 2 tablespoon Mirin, salt and freshly ground pepper. Make small meatballs, about 1” in diameter and place on a shallow baking dish in a single layer. Spray with olive oil and bake in the oven for about 7-8 minutes till nearly done (DO NOT OVERCOOK!).

While the meatballs are cooking, combine the Mirin, Soy sauce, Sake and brown sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 4-5 minutes till reduced to about half.

Heat a grill to medium high (400* F). Thread the meatballs onto the bamboo skewers (4-5 per skewer). Spray the grill surface with olive oil and grill the meatballs 2 minutes per side. Brush generously with the freshly prepared sauce and grill ½ to 1 minute more, turn and repeat.

Serve warm with the remaining sauce on the side, and with brown rice.