Miso Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1 tablespoon fine sea salt, plus more as needed
2 tablespoons plain whole-milk yogurt or whey
4 cups cold water
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick), melted, or olive oil
2 tablespoons onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons chipotle powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Miso-garlic Sauce

¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick), cubed
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon lemon zest
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon red miso
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced scallions or chives

Directions

Step 1

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a 9-by-13-inch high-heat baking dish with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, stir 1 tablespoon salt and the yogurt into 4 cups cold water. (The brine helps the chicken retain its moisture, for juicier breasts.) Add the chicken and let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together butter, onion powder, garlic and chipotle powders, and black pepper until they form a paste.

Step 3

After 15 minutes, drain the breasts, discarding liquid. Pat dry, transfer to the baking dish, and spread the paste all over the chicken.

Step 4

Roast until the top is golden brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, about 30 minutes. If chicken is darkening too quickly, tent loosely with foil. Let the chicken cool, covered, for 5 minutes. Reserve the pan juices.

Step 5

About 10 minutes before the chicken is done, prepare the miso-garlic sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in garlic, lemon zest, black pepper and miso. Return to the heat and add the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water, then mix until a velvety sauce forms. Remove from heat and stir in the reserved pan juices from the chicken. Taste and season with salt as needed.

Step 6

To serve, either slice the chicken breasts across the grain or keep them whole. Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnish with the minced scallions or chives. Serve immediately.

Panang Chicken Curry

Adapted from the New York Times

Ingredients

Curry paste:

• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 cup dry-roasted peanuts (preferably unsalted)
• 2-4 tbsp red curry paste, to taste

Curry:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce
• 1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk
• lime juice (a few tbsp), makrut lime leaves, and/or lime zest, to taste
• 1 1/2 tsp brown or granulated white sugar
• 1 zucchini
• 1 spicy pepper (optional)
• basil leaves, preferably Thai basil (optional)

Jasmine rice for serving

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix the spices and red curry paste. Chop the peanuts as fine as you can, then add to the paste.
2. Halve the zucchini lengthwise and then cut into very thin half-moon slices, no thicker than 1/4 inch each.  If using a pepper, slice it thinly.
3. Slice the chicken into very thin (1/4" or so), 1 1/2-inch-long pieces. Place in a medium bowl, drizzle with soy (or fish) sauce, and mix until coated.
4. Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high. Scoop 4 tbsp of the thick cream off the top of the coconut milk and add it to the pan; it will immediately sizzle. Stir until thickened and bubbling on the sides, about 30 seconds. Stir in the curry paste and reduce to medium. Cook the paste, continuously stirring, until a thick paste forms and the coconut oil separates (the sauce "breaks"), about 2-3 minutes. If it starts sticking, add a splash of coconut milk and scrape up anything from the bottom of the pan. 
5. Add the lime (juice, zest, or leaves) and sugar. Cook, continuously stirring, to dissolve the sugar and infuse the flavors, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining coconut milk and the zucchini (and pepper) slices, increase the temperature to medium-high, bring to a boil, and cook, continuously stirring, until the zucchini is barely tender, about 4 minutes. The curry should be at a lively simmer; adjust the heat as necessary.
6. Add the chicken and cook through, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Taste and add more soy/fish sauce and sugar, if needed. (This is not a sweet curry; the sweetness should take a backseat to the spice.)
7. Garnish with sliced basil and serve with jasmine rice.