Caramelized Black Pepper Chicken

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/caramelized-black-pepper-chicken

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

About 1/4 cup fish sauce (We used the "Golden Boy" brand.)

1/4 cup water (We subbed in chicken broth.)

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger

1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

2 fresh Thai chiles, halved, or dried red chiles (We subbed in chili garlic sauce.)

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 shallot, thinly sliced

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

4 cilantro sprigs - optional

bean sprouts - optional

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, combine the sugar, fish sauce, water, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, pepper and chiles.

Heat the oil in a large deep skillet. Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the fish sauce mixture and the chicken and simmer over high heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with the cilantro and serve.

NOTES

Because fish sauces vary in their saltiness, Phan advises adding the fish sauce to taste.

SERVE WITH

Steamed jasmine rice.