Yuzu Kosho-Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

with Shiitake Mushrooms, Turnip & Rice Salad

Details

In this delicious, autumnal dish, you’ll be using yuzu kosho, a traditional Japanese ingredient. It’s an incredibly flavorful seasoning made from chiles, salt and the peel of the yuzu (an aromatic citrus fruit grown in East Asia). Yuzu, like most citrus, is at its juiciest and ripest during the colder months. In yuzu kosho, the brightness of the citrus zest balances the spiciness of the chiles, creating a complex heat with hints of sweetness. It’s so good, we’re using it twice in this dish: once in the salad dressing and once to glaze succulent chicken drumsticks.

Ingredients

Note: Measurements are for 2 serving recipes.

Instructions

step 1

Roast the chicken:

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the chicken drumsticks on a sheet pan. Top with all but a pinch of the togarashi-sesame spice blend and season with salt and pepper; toss to thoroughly coat. Arrange the seasoned chicken drumsticks in a single, even layer and roast in the oven 30 to 32 minutes, or until browned and cooked through (the juices should run clear).

step 2

Prepare the ingredients:

While the chicken roasts, wash and dry the fresh produce. Remove and discard the stems of the shiitake mushrooms; thinly slice the caps. Trim off and discard the roots of the scallions; thinly slice the scallions, separating the white bottoms and green tops. Remove the stem ends of the turnips; cut the turnips lengthwise into wedges. Peel and mince the ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together the mirin, ponzu sauce, sesame oil and as much of the yuzu koshu as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be.

step 3

Cook the rice:

While the chicken continues to roast, in a small pot, heat 2 teaspoons of oil on medium until hot. Add half the ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the rice and 1 cup of water; bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer 11 to 12 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff the finished rice with a fork.

step 4

Cook the mushrooms & turnips:

While the chicken roasts and the rice cooks, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of oil on high until hot. Add the shiitake mushrooms and turnips and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes, or until browned. Add the remaining ginger and white parts of the scallions; cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until fragrant. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside to cool. Wipe out the pan.

step 5

Dress the rice, mushrooms & turnips:

Add 2 tablespoons of the yuzu kosho mixture to the bowl of cooked mushrooms and turnips. Add the cooked rice and toss to thoroughly coat; season with salt and pepper to taste.

step 6

Glaze the chicken & plate your dish:

Heat the same pan used to cook the mushrooms and turnips on medium-high until hot. Add the roasted chicken drumsticks and remaining yuzu kosho mixture; toss to coat. Cook, tossing occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the chicken drumsticks are completely coated. Divide the glazed chicken and mushroom-turnip-rice salad between two dishes. Garnish with the green parts of the scallions and remaining togarashi-sesame spice blend. Enjoy!