Serve this tender and flavorful Chinese-style braised chicken and sauce over cooked rice.

Simmered Chinese Chicken

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 (2 1/2 to 3 pounds) whole chicken, cut up into serving pieces

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon ketchup

1/4 cup dry sherry or apple juice

1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

2 green onions, sliced

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon cold water

2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds*

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven and brown chicken pieces on all sides.
2. Mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, ketchup, sherry, red pepper, garlic and green onion. Pour mixture over chicken. Cover and simmer 35 to 40 minutes.
3. Remove chicken to platter, draining juices that accumulate back into pan. Skim off fat from sauce.
4. Blend together cornstarch and water, stir into sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Spoon some sauce over chicken, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve chicken with remaining sauce.

*Sesame seeds need to be toasted to develop their nut-like flavor. Toast sesame seeds in a shallow pan at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Makes 4 servings.