Glazed Japanese Chicken Meatballs on Skewers

Ingredients for Glazed Japanese Chicken Meatballs on Skewers

• 60ml low-sodium soy sauce

• 60ml dry sake

• 60ml sugar

• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, plus more, for seasoning

• 675g chicken mince or turkey, preferably dark meat

• 1 tablespoon minced shallot

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (1 small clove)

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

• Sesame seeds

• Thinly sliced spring onion greens

• Steamed rice (optional)

In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, sake, sugar and vinegar and bring to a boil. Boil over high heat until thickened to a glaze, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and season with a fresh splash of vinegar, if you like.

Preheat the grill for at least 10 minutes, preparing to grill over moderately high heat, and soak 8 double-pronged bamboo skewers or 16 single skewers in water.

In a bowl, use your hands to mix together all of the ingredients except for the sesame seeds and spring onion greens.

Form the meat mixture into 16 meatballs. Thread the meatballs onto the skewers, leaving just a little space in between and flatten slightly.

Oil the grates well and grill the meatball skewers until light grill marks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and grill for 2 minutes longer, until the outside of the meatballs looks cooked.

Brush the sauce over the meatballs, flip and brush the other side. Flip them and brush them with the sauce constantly for about 1 minute, until glazed and cooked through. If the sauce darkens too quickly, reduce the heat or move the skewers to a cooler part of the grill.

Transfer the skewers to a platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced spring onions. Serve over rice, if desired.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.