Sunday, June 29, 2014

Chicken Satay with Coconut Peanut Sauce and Coconut Rice


It's been a week since I last completed a post, I've been busy, real busy but there also has been something inside me that's been holding back. I think a little time was needed from this space, to regroup and find my place, my voice. On Thursday I drove to Portland to pick up my husband at the airport. On the way the wind blew and the rain fell. There were drizzles and downpours and then steady rain. It was so wonderful, I had forgotten how much I love driving in the rain. The smells, the sights and sounds kept me on high alert, it was a good trip.

I prepared this chicken satay with coconut peanut sauce and coconut rice for one of my husband's first meals. I marinated the chicken about two hours before starting the grill for maximum flavor. The peanut sauce was quick to put together with just a hint of heat. The rice was a last minute addition, but by adding just a few ingredients, the dish became very aromatic with with great flavor.

Ingredients:

Marinade:

Recipe adapted for marinade from Steamy Kitchen

2 garlic cloves (chopped)
1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon peanut oil

Chicken:

1 to 1 1/2 pounds pounds chicken breast (cut thinly against the grain)

Coconut peanut butter sauce:

Recipe adapted slightly for peanut dipping sauce from Tyler Florence

1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons chili paste
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 limes (juiced)
1/2 cup coconut milk

Coconut rice

1 cup brown basmati rice
1 14 ounce can light coconut milk
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt,
3 scallions (sliced thinly)
1/4 cup roasted unsalted peanuts (chopped)
1 hand full roasted coconut flakes for garnish



To prepare:

In a food processor combine all marinade ingredients, process until smooth. Slice chicken breast against the grain into thin long strips. Add to marinade. Refrigerate 2 hours.

In the meantime prepare your sauce, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, chili paste, brown sugar and lime juice in food processor, puree to combine, while motor is running add coconut milk. Set aside. When ready to serve add to a small sauce pan heat until warm add water if too thick for desired consistency.

Next prepare the rice; add rice, coconut milk, water and salt, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook on low 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat, let sit covered for 10 minutes. When ready to serve add scallions, peanuts and roasted coconut.

Thread chicken pieces on skewers, I used metal, (if using wood, soak at least 30 minutes in water to prevent burning). Cook on grill 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Plate, adding rice, sauce and garnishes. Enjoy!




Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

69 comments:

  1. I love meals that come together like this! Don't ever let blogging get in the way of life :)

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  2. Welcome back, Cheri! Of course, we need a breather in everything that we routinely do. You made a nice twist to the usual peanut sauce by incorporating coconut! Good job!

    Julie
    Gourmet Getaways

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    1. Thanks Julie, appreciate the comment. The coconut flavor was a nice addition.

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  3. I feel like that too sometime, Cheri, like I need a little break. Blogging is really hard work!
    Chicken satay has to be one of my favourite dishes of all time. I made it a couple of times last year and was in heaven with every bite. This looks like a great recipe with all that ginger in the sauce. And coconut rice = yum!

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    1. Thanks Helen, sometimes it is hard work.....the coconut rice was a last minute addition, sometimes things like that work out the best.

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  4. Love everything about this dish! The peanut butter and the coconut in the coconut rice. Sounds like something I'd enjoy a second (or third) helping of!

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  5. Cheri, wonderful recipe - I also adore chicken satay and your recipe sounds utterly delightful. so glad that a little break gave you tons of inspiration again!
    Looking forward to many more of your delightful posts!
    Have a great Monday, Andrea

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  6. I love the combo of flavours! A great meal, I love esp. that coconut rice!

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  7. sometimes a break - from anything - is healthy. :)

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  8. I don't know how some people can post several times a week! I would be at my computer all of the time. It's nice to step back and breathe once in a while. Smell the roses :)

    Your satay and sauce with the coconut milk sounds delicious!

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    1. Your right, it is nice to step back and smell the roses, everything looks so much better afterwards.

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  9. What a wonderful dish for your husband to come home to! It sounds absolutely amazing. I have often felt the same way you did, about needing to take a break. I have decided to take at least 1 day a week completely off of blogging, in order to prevent that feeling, and I think it helps. Glad you were able to have that time and are feeling better!

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    1. Hi Shari, thanks for the kind words, I agree a little time off helps.

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  10. I have an (unhealthy) obsession with chicken satay and yours looks so amazing.
    And yes, sometimes taking a break is what you need to find new inspiration!

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    1. Thanks Mike, appreciate the comment, breaks are good.

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  11. This is one of my favorite meals, too! I did a post on it about this time last year! Great minds think alike!

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  12. Gosh this looks great! This is my kind of meal. A nice drive in the rain can help clear your head - glad your husband joined you! Have a great week!

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    1. Hi Tricia, your right, the rain can do that. thanks, you too!

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  13. 'glad you took the time for yourself, to find your voice. It's important to step away sometimes, even from the things we love, to refresh and rejuvenate. It sounds like the combination of the rain and your husband's arrival were just what you needed to help with the inspiration. The satay looks delicious. Thank you so much. D

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    1. Hi Dena, your right, it was just what I needed, thanks!

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  14. What a delicious looking meal and a wonderful combination of flavours and textures - yum! Your husband is very lucky indeed. :)

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  15. Some exciting and new flavor combinations for me! Great meal, Cheri!

    ela h.
    Gray Apron

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  16. Some exciting and new flavor combinations for me! Great meal, Cheri.

    ela h.
    Gray Apron

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  17. Some exciting and new flavor combinations for me. Great meal, Cheri!

    ela h.
    Gray Apron

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  18. Oh, you're a nice wifey - I'm sure your mister appreciated this as a first feast back!

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  19. Oh, you're a nice wifey - I'm sure your mister appreciated this as a first feast back!

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  20. I love, love, love chicken satay and yours looks incredible. Never feel bad for taking a break because we all know how it feels. :) I have a sign on my mirror that says, "Your first duty of care is to yourself." I agree with that.

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  21. I love driving in the rain too, Cheri, and it's a good thing when you're living on the west coast, lol. A break from blogging now and then is definitely important and I find that I come back refreshed and excited. I hope that happened for you. :)
    This dish has so many different flavours - lime, coconut, peanut butter - I can imagine it was delicious! Thanks for another great recipe!

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    1. Hi Robyn, I know, driving and being in the rain is so relax for me, you are truly in the moment, thanks for the encouragement.

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  22. Love how all of the flavors work together in this dish. Very nice as a welcome home for your husband.
    Sam

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  23. I love this speciality! It is one of my favorite Southeast Asian dishes. your satay looks/sounds mighty tasty and I particularly like the fragrant rice.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  24. Hi Cheri - these look delicious. Although I rarely eat meat, when I do, chicken stay is one of my favorite dishes to indulge in. And I understand about taking time to regroup. Seems to happen even more during the summer. Hang in there!

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    1. Hi Amy, your right summer does seem to bring one to rethink things. Thanks!

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  25. This sounds wonderful. I know your husband loved his welcome-home meal. It's exactly the kind of meal we are crazy about!

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  26. Sometimes a break is needed to come back refreshed! Your chicken satay looks absolutely delicious! It's one of my favorite meals of all time.

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  27. Asian food is such a treat and I am guilty of not fixing it more often. This satay sounds so very delicious....and that marinade! Thanks for sharing this nice recipe. :)

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  28. I don't like driving in the rain- blurry vision, slow speeds, danger etc etc haha :) And rain always makes me feel sad too! I do love chicken satay though!! I've never made it at home before, but I had a version at my friend's house which looks quite similar to yours and loved it- I might have to give your recipe a try next time I feel like making my own satay chicken! :)

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    1. Thanks Von, it was pretty good and really pretty easy. Thanks for stopping by.

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  29. This meal looks delicious! I love making Thai food at home.

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    1. Thanks Amy, I enjoy cooking Thai food at home too!

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  30. Wow Cheri! This coconut rice looks like a dream! So flavorful and fluffy! Yummy! It's important to take a break from the internets and be surrounded by nature and the elements - good for the soul.

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    1. Hi Grace, your right, it is nice to take a break, I love to hike so thats always a great way for me to unwind.

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  31. It's always good to take a bit of a break from routine from time to time. And then to come back with this? Terrific recipe! Funny, I've had this dish in restaurants, but never made it myself. That's going to change! Thanks so much.

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    1. Hi John, this is the first time I've ever made this as well, but where stay in Oregon is kind of isolated so if I want something I have to drive a bit or make it myself.

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  32. oh now you know I want this. I love a good peanut sauce.

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  33. I recently had coconut rice in a restaurant and loved it. I had forgotten I wanted to Google for a recipe. Thanks for this! :) Have a great holiday weekend.

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  34. Cheri - we both love satay, and your sauce is one of the best I have seen. Also, we have been making coconut-lime rice lately and I think it would be wonderful with your satay. ~ David

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    1. Hi Cheri - we made this for dinner on Monday and it was terrific! I loved the dipping sauce and actually ate the last little bit with a spoon! The marinade was perfect - I forgot to oil the grill but it on;y stuck a bit. Also, I sued shallot instead of garlic because of my allergy, but I don't think it harmed the recipe! Thanks for a perfect weeknight dinner! Wish you had been there to share it with us!

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