Chicken Teriyaki...and the Inter-Ethnic Food Marriage Debate

Do you believe that foods from different ethnic backgrounds 
can coexist in wedded bliss, within the same recipe?

Depending on your personal tolerance levels,
some mixed food marriages could truly be for better...or for worse.

How about guacamole ravioli? 
Pad Thai nicoise? 
General Tso's sauerbraten? 

I am completely open-minded when it comes to combining ethnic foods in recipes,
as long as the flavors and textures make sense together.


So, when I came across a video for Teriyaki Chicken Tacos,
I was stunned by the heated discussion as to whether or not
Buzz Feed Food was bordering on heresy 
 by uniting a Mexican taco and Japanese teriyaki in holy foodie matrimony. 

Some folks were downright intolerant about the taco  
holding anything other than traditional Mexican fillings,
fearing that once the ethnic boundary was crossed, 
 pure Mexican food as it was meant to be, would be lost forever.

Others felt that a taco was no different than other sandwich-like holders,
and could be filled with anything that the mind and palette found appealing.
Then, there were the peacemakers,  
who suggested that those who were offended by the combination, 
simply shouldn't make it.  
    
C'mon people, can't we all just get along?  

Now, I've got to admit, some foods should never get married, 
because their personalities...not their ethnicities...
are wrong for each other. 

Let's face it, spaghetti with matzoh balls instead of meatballs,
will never work out, no matter how hard they try.

Sushi Parmigiana? 
Excuse me, but that's barf bag-worthy. 

As a rule, however, I lean towards the left on the subject of inter-ethnic recipe nuptials. 

So, where, you may be wondering, are the tacos in my photos?
I assure you it wasn't because of any prejudice 
that I omitted them from the recipe. 
It's simply that I didn't want the extra calories. 
Otherwise, I'd have no problem eating this Japanese/Mexican hybrid. 
But, what really attracted me was the recipe for the chicken teriyaki itself.

Have you seen those videos online

that show you step-by-step instructions for preparing recipes?
The one for Teriyaki Chicken Tacos was love at first sight.

Yeah, it seemed easy, but that didn't make me think less of it. 
I figured, what's the worst that could happen?
I could try it out one night, and if I didn't like it, we'd part company.
No hard feelings.  

Well, you know how it goes.
When you least expect it, that's when you are swept off your taste buds.

This teriyaki chicken was a huge hit with the family, 
which is saying something, because it's not always that easy to gain their approval.
The teriyaki and I have committed to a long relationship --
I even let it move in to my file of "favorite" recipes. 
We plan to enjoy many happy meals together around the dinner table.

if you'd like to get involved with the recipe (I don't mind, really)
I suggest that you watch the video (It's only 26 seconds).
If not, the recipe is here for your convenience.
The sauce will take a little time to thicken, so be patient.
By the way, I tripled the recipe for our family of three,
 which made about 6 servings.

TERIYAKI CHICKEN
(recipe from Buzzfeed Food)  

(Yield: approximately 2 servings)      

1 pound boneless chicken thighs, cut into one-inch cubes.
1 tbsp. sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
pinch of salt 

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup packed brown sugar 

2 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. chopped garlic

1 tbsp. chopped ginger

1/4 cup chopped scallions (to mix with rice, or for garnish).

Sesame seeds 

Heat the oil in a saute pan, and add chicken. Sprinkle with salt. 
Saute (medium high heat) for a couple of minutes, until no raw spots are visible.

Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar and honey; stir.

Cook until chicken is completely cooked, and sauce has turned to a thick glaze, stirring occasionally.

Serve over cooked rice (or in a taco with rice).

Garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.   

 All I have to say about this chicken teriyaki, with or without the tacos, is... 

I do.  

(Cue the wedding march). 

Linking with:
Best of The Weekend
Wow Us Wednesday  
Cooking and Crafting with J & J 
Foodie FriDIY
Bouquet of Talent 
Metamorphosis Monday 
Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party 
Simple and Sweet Friday 
Let's Get Real 
Home Sweet Home 
Share Your Style