Smell This!

Believe me, the aroma from this dish should be marketed as an air freshener.  I wouldn't mind my house smelling like scallions and ginger all the time.  But, that's me.  I saw this recipe in an issue of Food & Wine several months ago.  It seemed like it would be quick to make, and it had all the flavors I like: soy sauce, ginger and cilantro.  And the scallions.

Begin by putting 1/2 pound of skinless, boneless chicken thighs in boiling, salted water. Return the water to a boil, then cover the pot and set it off the heat for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked.  When the chicken is cooked, dice it into one inch cubes. While the chicken is poaching, cook 3/4 pounds of linguine until tender.  Then drain thoroughly. 

Set the pasta pot (wiped dry) on high heat and pour 1/3 cup peanut oil into it. Heat the oil until it shimmers and add 1 cup thinly sliced scallions and 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger root.  Cook over moderate heat for about one minute. Ahhh, the aroma!   

Quickly add the cooked linguine, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil, the chicken, and a pinch each sugar, salt and pepper to the pot.  Toss for about one minute over high heat until the noodles are heated through. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro and toss.  And that's it.

This was very satisfying. It tasted better with each bite. And I think I've beaten it into the ground about the aroma that permeated my house for hours. This is what I ate.  Wish I had a bowl of it right now!

Comments

[Glenna]

I dreamed this aroma last night! Could have sworn I was getting ready to eat the ginger and scallions and woke up to figure out I was only smelling my Body Shop eye cream. Oh well. Better for the diet, I suppose, since I can't lick my eyelids.

I did put all the ingredients on my grocery list, though, so sometimes this week these noodles will be mine.

Great blog! I'm really enjoying everything you've written about.

[Sher]

Thank you! Scallion and ginger scented eye cream? That's a very interesting potion. I suppose you could use it on the noodles. Maybe not. Good luck with the recipe. Let me know how it turns out.

Sher