Magic Jack

Well, Jack has spent the day out of his room, and has been QUITE happy. He woke me up about 4 am wailing at the screen door, so I got my pillow and staggered in there. He mostly wanted to play (he and Xena would have tussles all night long, apparently), but eventually settled down some. Then Bill wanted in. So I let him in and took the opportunity to go back to bed, because the floor is hard, even with carpeting. Bill babysat until about 6:30, when JackWailing© began again.

Breakfast was served, play was had, and then the door was opened. I was going to get him to explore out into the living room, but he hasn't been interested in going beyond the hallway, the bathroom, and my room. Which is fine -- there's usually company of some sort around, which is what he wants.

He discovered that hardwood floors are GREAT for sliding on, and his kitten gallops have gotten Bill into Play With Baby mode, so that's good. So he's a happy Jack.

In related news, I have a canker sore on my tongue, which is making me listless and owie all in my jaw and into my ear. So I've been sleeping a lot today, loaded with Tylenol and slathered with Orabase (not to mention being sleep-deprived anyway). I woke up a little while ago, because Jack galloped over my hip and went to see what Mike was doing -- apparently Jack had been curled up asleep behind my knees. Earlier Brownie had been relaxing on the foot of my bed, and Jack went over and curled up next to her. Sweet Brownie, she waited until he was asleep, then she got up and got in my arms, her usual sleeping spot.

Right now Bill is at the foot of my bed, Maggie is on the edge within petting range, Brownie is in my lap, and Saucy Jack is in a cute kitten ball just below my pillow. I guess I have another bedtime partner.

All Is Well.

Sesame Chicken

I've been meaning to post this recipe for months, but keep forgetting. For some reason, I've now remembered to do so. This makes absolutely delicious Sesame Chicken, as good (or better!) than what you get in the restaurant. It looks like a lot of work, but it really isn't. I put the meat on to marinade, then start the rice and the sauce, and toast the sesame seeds. By the time the marinade is finished, the rice is almost done and the sauce is staying warm. Then it's just a case of cooking the chicken and any vegetables, adding the sauce and sesame seeds, and calling the troops to eat.

FLAWLESS SESAME CHICKEN

serves 4 to 6, adjust as needed

* 3 whole boneless chicken breasts
* vegetables for stir frying if desired -- I like to use a red bell pepper and 3 stalks of celery

Marinade

* 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon cooking wine or dry sherry
* 3 drops sesame oil
* 2 tablespoons flour
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 2 tablespoons water
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Sauce

* 1/2 cup water
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1/8-1/4 cup white vinegar or rice wine vinegar (depending on how sweet you want the sauce)
* 1/4 cup cornstarch
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons sesame oil
* 1 teaspoon chili paste (or more)
* 1 garlic clove (minced)

Frying

* peanut oil (3 1/2-4 cups)

Serving

* 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

1. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Mix the marinade ingredients (the first 9 ingredients listed) and marinate the chicken for 20 minutes.
2. SAUCE: Mix together all of the sauce ingredients (the LAST 9 ingredients beginning with water). Pour them into a small pot and bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Turn the heat down to low and keep warm while you are deep-frying the chicken.
3. Heat oil until to about 350 degrees, hot enough to deep fry. Add the marinated chicken pieces a few at a time, and deep-fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and then place chicken in warm oven (130 degrees) while you continue frying. Repeat with the remainder of the chicken. Just before you are finished deep-frying, bring the sauce back up to a boil.
4. At this point, if you're adding any vegetables, pour off all but 1 teaspoon of oil, and stir fry your veg until tender crisp.
5. Add the chicken back in, and pour the sauce over everything. Stir to mix and let the chicken heat back up.
6. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the chicken and stir to mix. Serve with hot rice.

This is so good my husband and son fight over seconds and my son dishes up a serving to take for lunch the next day before he gets his dinner serving. I only make it about once a month because it's so high in sugar, but if you can't blow out once a month, then life ain't worth living...