Sesame Seed Chicken A Turkish Meze Food

CRISPY SESAME CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a bowl then add the egg and soy sauce. Massage the egg and soy into the chicken well then allow to sit for a few minutes while you make the sauce.
• To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large pan then cook for garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Pour in the soy sauce, water, sugar, vinegar and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer then pour in the cornstarch slurry. Reduce the heat then simmer until the sauce is thick and glossy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Heat enough oil to fry the chicken in a deep pan or pot. Place a wire rack over a sheetpan.
• Combine the flour and cornstarch in a separate bowl then coat the chicken in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is completely covered.
• Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil, cooking in batches to avoid over-crowding the pan, until the chicken is golden brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and allow to drain on the wire rack while you cook the remaining chicken.
• Place the pan with the sauce back on the heat and bring to a simmer. Add the fried chicken and sesame seeds to the pan then toss to coat the chicken in the sauce. Season to taste with more soy, vinegar or sesame oil as necessary then serve over rice or noodles.

SESAME CHICKEN

Steps:

• Wash the chicken under cold running water, pat dry and trim off any excess fat. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and put into a large mixing bowl. Add the marinade ingredients to the bowl and stir to combine. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the sauce.
• To make the sauce: In a saucepan, add the sesame oil and set over low heat. Add the ginger and garlic and fry gently until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the remaining sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir well to dissolve the cornstarch. Gently pour into the saucepan with the fried ginger and garlic. Stir as you pour because the cornstarch will thicken up pretty quickly. Keep warm over low heat.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot or deep-fryer heat enough oil to come halfway up the sides of the pot, to 375 degrees F.
• Fry the chicken, in small batches, until golden and crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken using a wire mesh strainer and drain on paper towels. Season with a little salt, to taste. To serve, arrange the fried chicken on a platter and pour drizzle with the sauce. Sprinkle with a generous amount of toasted sesame seeds and garnish with scallions and cilantro sprigs.

CHINESE RESTAURANT-STYLE SESAME CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cut chicken into about 1 inch X 2 inch pieces.
• In a large nonporous glass dish or bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, sherry, ginger and five spice powder. Mix together. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Cover dish and refrigerate for 20 minutes, turning once, to marinate. After 20 minutes, drain chicken, reserving marinade. Boil reserved marinade in a small saucepan for 5 minutes to remove risk of bacteria.
• Meanwhile, spread sesame seeds out evenly on an aluminum foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven, to toast, for 10 minutes or until slightly browned.
• Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat. In a shallow dish or bowl combine flour and salt and pepper to taste. Dredge chicken in seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Brown chicken pieces in oil for about 1 minute each side. Spoon boiled marinade over chicken, reduce heat and saute all together for 1 more minute or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.
• Remove chicken pieces from heat and roll in toasted sesame seeds. Rinse and dry lettuce leaves; line serving platter with leaves and spoon chicken on top. Garnish with tomato wedges and serve.

PERFECT SESAME CHICKEN

Steps:

• Sift flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder into a bowl. Pour in low-sodium soy sauce, sherry, 2 tablespoons water, vegetable oil, and a dash of sesame oil; stir until smooth. Stir in chicken until coated with the batter, then cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring chicken broth, sugar, vinegar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, chile paste, and garlic to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Dissolve 1/4 cup cornstarch into 1/2 cup of water, and stir into boiling sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens and turns clear, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and keep sauce warm.
• Heat olive oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to a temperature of 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Drop in the battered chicken pieces, a few at a time, and fry until they turn golden brown and float to the top of the oil, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. To serve, place fried chicken pieces onto a serving platter, and pour the hot sauce overtop. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds to garnish.

SESAME SEED CHICKEN (A TURKISH MEZE)

Steps:

• Soak chicken in milk overnight.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F; prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine sesame seeds, breadcrumbs, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Roll chicken in sesame seed mixture and place on baking sheet so that they do not touch.
• Roast until golden and crispy, about 45 minutes.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH CHILLI & SESAME SEEDS

Steps:

• Slice each chicken breast lengthways into 2 thin pieces. Rub with the oil and season on both sides. Heat a grill pan and cook the pieces for 2-3 mins each side.
• While the chicken is cooking, mix the chilli sauce, ginger, honey and vinegar with a little seasoning in a small bowl. Brush over the chicken as it cooks - wait until it is grilled on one side first before brushing, or it will burn.
• Blanch the broccoli, divide between the plates and pour over the remaining sauce. Top with the chicken and sesame seeds.

TURKISH ONION MEZE

Steps:

• Finely slice the onions.
• Knead the sliced onions with a hefty amount of salt for about 5 minutes.
• Rinse the now softened onions under running water.
• Sprinkle with paprika and a drizzle of olive oil.