An Intrusion of Citrus

This dish is a mouthful--Chicken With Ginger Citrus Teriyaki Glaze--but it offers a mouthful of flavor as well. For the sauce, slightly sweet teriyaki combines well with citrus, and minced ginger root gives a warm and woody finish.

Try the glaze with chicken, fish, steaks and pork; it’s versatile. You can also use it as a marinade or dipping sauce. Make a batch and keep it in the refrigerator up to two weeks. Look for citrus-flavored soy sauce among the Asian products of well-stocked supermarkets or at Asian markets.

Menu

Chicken With Ginger Citrus Teriyaki Glaze

Japanese Steamed Rice

Chicken With Ginger Citrus Teriyaki Glaze

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 30 minutes

GLAZE

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)

1/4 cup citrus-flavored soy sauce

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1 (2-inch) piece ginger root, minced (about 1/2 cup)

* Combine soy sauce, mirin, citrus soy sauce, sugar, water and ginger root in small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. (Makes about 1 1/2 cups.)

ASSEMBLY

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt, pepper

3 to 4 tablespoons oil

Japanese Steamed Rice

2 green onions, thinly sliced

* Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste. Saute in oil in medium skillet over high heat or grill chicken breasts on high heat for 3 to 5 minutes on each side.

* Serve chicken over Japanese Steamed Rice. Top each serving with sliced green onions, then drizzle about half of sauce over chicken. (Refrigerate leftover sauce for another use.)

4 servings. Each serving: 310 calories; 1,343 mg sodium; 74 mg cholesterol; 9 grams fat; 22 grams carbohydrates; 32 grams protein; 0.09 gram fiber.

Japanese Steamed Rice

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 20 minutes

1 1/2 cups short-grain rice (Calrose, Botan or Nishiki)

2 cups water

* Combine rice and water in small pot. Bring to simmer over medium heat, cover and cook until rice is soft and water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff before serving.

4 servings. Each serving: 100 calories; 0 sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 22 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0 fiber.

Game Plan

30 minutes before: Start rice and simmer. Season chicken and set aside. Peel and mince ginger. Slice green onions.

20 minutes before: Start sauce in small saucepan. Saute or grill chicken.

10 minutes before: Fluff rice and set aside. Turn chicken. Check sauce.

Just before serving: Divide rice and chicken among plates, top with green onions and sauce.

INGREDIENTS

Shopping List

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Citrus-flavored soy sauce

Japanese short grain rice

Staples

Ginger root

Green onions

Mirin

Soy sauce

Sugar

Oil

*

Abandon Villa lien stone plate from Zero Minus Plus at Fred Segal, Santa Monica.