Spicy chicken karaage and Apple-cabbage salad with sesame dressing


I was thinking this the first time I've made chicken karaage , " Here goes another unhealthy treat that I would love to eat occasionally ha ! more like , I could eat this everyday ! "  Now , remember , moderation is the key ! I seldom deep-fried , for one ,  I hate to store used oil in the fridge for a long time and since I'm the only one here who dig this fantastic but unwholesome deliciousness , cooking it for one person seems superfluous . 

But because it's nearly the time of the month ....

Excuses , excuses ! 

If your compare this karaage to my previous one , you'll see that this version is much fluffier . At that time , I thought I also used potato starch as I bought it at one of my favorite baking supply store . By the time I finished cooking and photographing it , I compare it to Sonia's and No Recipes' sites . The coating of mine looks thinner and thinking maybe I did shake off too much excess flour or starch , for that matter . 

I've made it again for our New Year's dinner , I bought a pack of potato starch at one of the shops that sells Japanese products . If only you've seen my face while I was cooking the karaage , using the right potato starch , it looks like the authentic-looking version  lol

The potato starch is made from potato that has been peeled , the flesh is grind into a mushy slurry then dehydrated ,  the texture is similar to that of cornstarch , it's usually use as a thickening agent and of course , makes a great crispy coating . Potato flour on the other hand , is made from whole potato , including the skin and it gives baked goods such as loaf bread a nice soft and moist texture . It makes a nice , crispy coating as well though a bit thin and you still can use it in this kind of recipe if starch is not readily available . 

To offset the unwanted calories from the karaage , I've made this simple but wonderful salad as a side . Initially , it was supposed to be an apple-cabbage slaw but I've been wanting to make homemade sesame dressing . The bottled version tastes good but making it at home is easy , cheap and certainly delicious ! The tangy dressing goes really well the crunchy salad and the salad itself is a good foil for the greasy karaage .


Spicy chicken karaage , serves 4 

550 grams boneless whole chicken leg , cut into bite-size pieces
4 teaspoons sake 
4 teaspoon mirin
4 teaspoon light soy sauce
20 grams / 1-inch peeled ginger , finely chopped or grated
2 cloves garlic , finely minced or grated
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon teaspoon chilli flakes
 pinch of salt 

2/3  cup potato starch
dash of ground black pepper

oil for frying
lime or lemon wedges , to serve 

*  In a bowl , combine the chicken and the rest of the ingredients , chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes , more ,  if time permits . 

* In a bowl or plate . combine the potato starch and the black pepper . 

* In a saucepan , heat oil , the oil is ready if you dip a bamboo chopstick and it sizzles or use a deep-fry thermometer , if available .

* Dip several pieces of chicken into the starch mixture until each piece is well covered up . Gently drop each piece into the hot oil and fry in batches until chicken pieces floats on top and lightly golden . transfer to the plate and repeat with the remaining pieces . 

* Once all the chicken is done , turn up the heat , gently drop chicken in batches until each piece is golden brown , transfer to a plate lined with paper towel and continue with the rest . Serve hot .

Apple and cabbage salad serves 4-6 

1 Gala apple , unpeeled , cored and thinly-sliced 
1 Granny Smith , unpeeled , cored and thinly-sliced
2 teaspoon lime juice
200 grams thinly-sliced red cabbage
50 grams thinly-sliced carrot
1/2 cup steamed fresh corn kernels

* In a large bowl , toss the 2 apples and lime juice , add in the rest of the ingredients , chill in the fridge for about an hour . To serve , divide into bowls and drizzle in the sesame dressing . 

Sesame dressing , makes 1 cup ( Recipe adapted from Just One Cookbook )

6 tablespoon sesame seeds
4 tablespoon mayonnaise
4 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 
3 tablespoon light soy sauce
2 teaspoon raw sugar
1 teaspoon mirin 
1 teaspoon sesame oil 

* In a wok or a large pan , toast sesame seeds over medium heat ; stirring from time to time , for 6 minutes or until lightly golden . Place seeds into mortar and pestle , grind into a paste . Transfer paste into a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients , mix well to combine . Chill in the fridge before using .


This post is linked to the bloghop event Little Thumbs Up and is organized by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen of My Favourite DIY . This month's theme is APPLE and hosted by Kit of I Lost in Austen 


                                                          photo littlethumbups1-1.jpg

Comments

  1. Anne, Karaage ...healthy or unhealthy treat, I'll have them anytime! I'll sit there with you till we finish it all:) OK...we must have that cabbage and apple salad you've made...it's a nice combination and looks so colourful and delicious too:)

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  2. I like the dish and I like the salad (so colorful)!

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  3. That apple cabbage salad is very healthy...but I love those 'unhealthy' chicken bites more :-))

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  4. Eeeerrr.... Anne, you're making soooo hungry man ! I've just taken some noodle actually and now is craving for this. haha.... This is bad. Hope you're going to have a fabulous week ahead dear.
    Blessings, Kristy

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  5. Hi Anne,
    Now this is my kind of food that i love . Looks so mouthwatering especially your spicy chicken karaage . The apple salad is so colorful & inviting too . YUMMY ;)

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  6. That fried chicken looks perfect with that salad! Makes me drool!

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  7. Good Afternoon Anne, As the saying goes, 'A little of what you love, does you good'' I have never heard of chicken karaage, but looking at the ingredients, I just know I will love it, plus your apple and cabbage salad works so well with the chicken karaage.
    I have never used potato starch, so I will see if I can find some next time I go shopping..... and I am certainly going to be trying this dish.... actually I can't wait.
    Best Wishes to you.
    Daphne

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  8. Hi Anne,
    Wow, your chicken karaage is making me drool! It looks delicious and the apple and cabbage slaw looks amazing!
    Such a wonderful meal! Wish I could join you!

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  9. Hi Anne,

    I'm with you. Totally agree that moderation is the key... That's why we must eat these karaage with this nice and healthy apple salad :p Excuses? No no no... smart people think the same... LOL!

    Zoe

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  10. I can taste it from here. I need a bite of that crust!

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  11. Oh my Anne,
    This does look "sinful" but oh so delicious! Instant mashed potatoes were once used as a coating for chicken in my neck of the woods. I think some people still use it and also corn flakes too. I bet this chicken was oh so delicious! Actually when you think about it, I guess the "bad" part would be the frying. I've switched to a more heart friendly oil these days so I bet in moderation I could certinly try it on those occasions when it is just necessary to spluge in some good ol fried chicken, lol...Of course the salad at the dressing would help to make it a bit more healthier and delicious too:)

    Thank you so much for sharing, Anne...

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  12. Definitely delicious and worth to try chicken kaarage recipe!!
    pretty damn beautifully captured too....

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