Sunday, September 9, 2012

Tori no Kara Age - Japanese Fried Chicken


JFC (Japanese fried chicken) or Tori no Kara Age

Recipe by Caroline Phelps

JFC (Japanese fried chicken) or Tori no kara age

Japanese fried chicken (also known as JFC :) ) is saltier than its American relative. Using a marinade of soy and sake, and dusting the nuggets with potato starch or corn starch puts this fried chicken recipe in a league of its own. It's VERY juicy and the light and crispy batter doesn't disappoint. (Makes 10 to 12 pieces)


Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs with skin, cut bite size
  • 1 thumb size ginger, grated
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp sake
  • 1/2 Potato starch (katakuriko) or cornstarch (if you have both, potato starch is better)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (or 1/2 tsp regular salt)
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder (for a little kick) *optional*
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)


Cooking Directions

Combine grated ginger, soy sauce and sake in a bowl. Add chicken and toss well to coat. Marinate for at least an hour (no longer than 4 hours otherwise the chicken may lose moisture because of the salt in the soy sauce). 

In a medium size bowl, mix the potato starch, salt and chili powder. Heat the oil to 350 degrees using a temperature-controlled fryer or a thermometer. If you don't have one, test with a small piece of chicken. Coat each piece very well, shake off excess and fry in batches (don't put too many at once as doing so lowers the temperature of the oil). Cook for a few minutes, until golden brown. 

Lay chicken on paper towel and serve with lemon wedges, yuzusco or shichimi.

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