TruePlayerFlavor

Tag: mint

  • Soy and Sesame Chicken with Cucumbers and Mint

    We adapted this recipe from Cooking Light and it was a perfect weeknight dish with amazing flavor.

    Chicken:

    6 Skinless, boneless chicken thighs
    1/4 Cup soy sauce
    2 Tbsp dark sesame oil
    1 Tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger
    1 Tbsp honey
    1/2 Tsp freshly ground black pepper
    3 Garlic cloves, thinly sliced

    Cucumbers:

    1 English cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
    1/4 Tsp salt
    1/4 Cup minced shallots
    2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
    1 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
    1 Tbsp honey
    1 Tsp dark sesame oil
    1/4 Tsp ground red pepper

    To prepare chicken, place each chicken thigh between 2 sheets of waxed or parchment paper; pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Combine soy sauce and next 5 ingredients (through garlic) in a large bowl or zip-top plastic bag. Add chicken to soy sauce mixture and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes, turning bag occasionally.

    To prepare cucumbers, place cucumber slices in a colander/strainer; sprinkle with salt, tossing well. Drain for 1 hour. Place cucumber slices on a few layers of paper towels; cover with additional paper towels, pressing down occasionally. Combine cucumber, shallots, and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl; mix gently. Cover and set aside.

    Heat a grill pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Place 4-6 thighs in pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done. Repeat procedure with remaining thighs if necessary. Serve 2 thighs over a bed of cucumbers and enjoy!

  • Toasted Orzo with Peas and Mint

    This recipe is adapted from a recipe courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen

    We’re in the spirit to celebrate Summer in hopes of inspiring the sun to appear in San Francisco and burn off the marine layer! The following recipe for Toasted Orzo with Peas and Mint jumped off the page when we flipped through America’s Test Kitchen and now it is a house favorite! Really easy and really good. Give it a shot and see for yourself!

    2/3 Cup Orzo
    1 Tbsp unsalted butter
    1/4 Cup onion, diced
    1 Garlic clove, minced
    2 Cups low-sodium chicken broth
    1/2 Cup water
    1/3 Cup frozen peas
    1 Tbsp fresh mint, minced
    1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
    1/2 Tsp grated lemon zest
    Pinch of salt and pepper

    Toast the orzo in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Be sure to keep a close eye on the orzo as it toasts because it may take a moment to get going, but like anything else, once it starts browning get ready to pull the orzo off the heat before you burn the pasta!

    Add the toasted orzo, broth, and water to the skillet; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring every few minutes (but not too frequently or it will turn into mush) until the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender. All told it should take roughly 15 minutes.

    Stir in peas, mint, lemon juice and zest and ensure the peas are heated through (about 1 minute). Season with salt and pepper if desired and serve.