Orange Chicken with Pineapple

 Year of the Tiger
 

Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one.  A lot of people (myself included) would like to know whether they will have better luck in 2010, the year of the Tiger.  I broke a tooth this week while eating a hamburger at one of my local restaurants, The Crooked Knife, so that is already not a great start.  However, I've done a little research and I can definitely say without a doubt that 2010 will be a good year...this has been scientifically worked out. According to Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, 2010 is the Year of Metal Tiger -  gold is related to Metal and money. People who like to talk about wealth will say that 2010 is a Golden Tiger year. On the other hand, in the Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) theory, the color representing metal is White.  Therefore, we also can say that 2010 is the Year of White Tiger. Uh-oh, this is where it gets tricky!  The White Tiger is connected to the symbol of jinx in China history. In that case, 2010 - year of the White Tiger - is going to be a bad year. Oy!

Either way, good luck or bad luck, we're still going to have to make dinner and this is a very nice and easy recipe for Pineapple Chicken.

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs, skin removed (healthier!)

Combine the 9 ingredients below and marinate the chicken for 1/2 hour:

1 small can sliced pineapple, and the juice from the can
1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 tbls Sriracha hot chili pepper sauce

2 cloves crushed garlic

2 tblspns  rice wine vinegar

2 tblspns balsamic vinegar

1 tsp honey

1 tsp hot sesame oil

1/2 tsp cornstarch

1 tblspn cold water

2 cups cooked white jasmine rice

Remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve it for the sauce) and put them on the hot grill - you can also bake them in the oven at 375 for 30 - 40 minutes.  Suggestion: grill with the top up so the chicken doesn't cook too quickly and burn.

Add all the marinade to a saucepan and simmer while the chicken is grilling - as it simmers down and thickens, add the pineapple pieces.

Turn the chicken and baste with a little of the sauce.

 

Meanwhile, steam the broccoli until slightly tender, and then toss in 2 tblspoons hot sesame oil - that gives it a really nice flavor!

 

Just before serving, mix the cornstarch with the water and add to the sauce - whisk together until blended and thickened to a nice syrup.  Taste and adjust the flavors to your liking!

Serve with steamy white jasmine rice!

 

"Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable"