The Crabby Cook - by Jessica Harper

Time to revisit an old CC favorite.

As I have often said, I usually refuse to cook recipes that I can get at a good takeout place. I mean, why bother cooking Chinese food when it’s on your list of tasty takeout options? Why make chicken teriyaki when there’s a Japanese restaurant close by (it happens to be called The Crazy Asian) where they’re willing to make it for you?

I apply this principle to bread, too. Why go to the trouble of yeasting and kneading when there’s fabulous bread to be had at every market these days? The same goes for cupcakes. And pizza? Fuggedabodit.

But occasionally I discover a recipe that’s so easy, I have to relax my attitude. My new feeling is, if it takes less time and stress to cook something than it does to drive somewhere to pick it up, I’ll cook it. This recipe is sort of, kind of Japanesey, but cooking it myself is easier than a trip to The Crazy Asian.

4 chicken thighs

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

(lime and cilantro?)

 1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl. Mix together the soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and pepper, and pour the mixture over the chicken. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least three hours or overnight.

2. About an hour before you want to serve the chicken, preheat the oven to 350º F. Bake the chicken for about 50-60 minutes, basting occasionally. Serve immediately.

Serves 4-6.