Sesame-soy-glazed baby bok choy (Thursday 4.22.10)

Thursday 4/22/10:

Dinner: I prepared a Cooks Illustrated recipe called "Sesame-Soy-Glazed Baby Bok Choy." I highly recommend this quick, tasty, healthy, hearty side dish. If you tend to make Asian food you'll probably have most of the ingredients on hand. I forgot to add the sesame seeds as garnish- I guess I was too focused on getting a taste of the dish. My husband, who never had boy choy before, liked it, as did my two-year old who kept asking for more. Alongside the bokchoy we ate the usual side salad (see above) and pork milaneses with a squeeze of lemon.

SESAME-SOY-GLAZED BABY BOK CHOY

INGREDIENTS

2	tablespoons soy sauce
2	tablespoons chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
1	tablespoon rice vinegar
2	teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1	teaspoon granulated sugar
3	tablespoons peanut oil
4	baby bok choy (about 4 ounces each), each head halved lengthwise
3	medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)
1	inch piece fresh ginger , minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2	medium scallions , sliced thin
1	tablespoon sesame seeds , toasted in a small dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned and fragrant, about 4 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine soy sauce, stock, vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar in small bowl.

2. Heat large nonstick skillet over high heat until hot, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons peanut oil, swirl to coat pan bottom. Place bok choy in skillet, cut-side down, in single layer. Cook, without moving, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Turn bok choy and cook until lightly browned on second side, about 1 minute longer; transfer to large, warm platter.

3. Add garlic, ginger, and scallions to now-empty pan and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add soy sauce mixture and simmer until reduced and thickened, about 20 seconds. Return bok choy to pan and cook, turning once, until glazed with sauce, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.