I’ve said before on this blog that I taught myself to cook, using mostly recipes in ads and on the backs of ingredients’ boxes and bottles. This one was in an ad for RealLemon lemon juice concentrate. I still use it.

LEMON TERIYAKI CHICKEN IN THE INSTANT POT

Mix:

• 1/2 cup RealLemon
• 1/2 cup soy sauce (I use Tamari)
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons water
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger

You also want:

• chicken
• water (maybe)
• cornstarch (maybe)

I put the Instant Pot on saute. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, do this in a skillet Cook all those ingredients at medium heat, stirring pretty constantly, for about 4 minutes. Add some chicken. I used Amish thighs Amish chicken thighs thighs from chickens raised by Amish people.

If you’re cooking in a skillet, reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

If you’re using an Instant Pot, cancel the saute operation. Cover the pot, setting the valve to pressure. On manual, set the time to 20 minutes and go have a beer. Or, you know, whatever. Do a quick release.

Serve over Jasmine rice.

I also added mushrooms, because I had some and I love mushrooms.

If the sauce is as thick as you like, you’re done. If you want the sauce thicker than it is, take the chicken/mushrooms out. Mix cornstarch with water. Either increase the heat in the skillet or turn the Instant Pot back to saute. Slowly add the cornstarch/water, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thick and glossy.

Now you’re done.

I’m posting at Fatal Foodies today about a vegan dish that was also tasty and satisfying. We swing both ways. Talkin’ about food, here.

A WRITING PROMPT BASED ON MY POST: Does your main character cook at all? If so, what sorts of things? Learned where and how and from whom? If not, why not?

MA