The Holiday Menu to Remember

December 29, 2009 by  
Filed under Christmas, Recipes

IMG_3289

The Christmas Table for 19!

I love the holiday season for many reasons. It is the few times a year that I can get my immediate family around the same table to share great eats and family time. My husband and I host Christmas Dinner every year and try to out do the last years dinner with new recipes and “different” dishes. I previewed this years menu and got so many positive comments from all of you. I thank you!! Now I will slowly share the recipes that help make this menu simply delicious. It is so hard to choose which recipe I wanted to highlight first but this one can be used for any night of the week.

Today’s recipe will make a great New Year’s Eve Appetizer. This recipe is simple, easy, and will be a crowd pleaser at any party.

Chicken Sate with Almond Dipping Sauce

Adapted from Cooking Light

Ingredients

  • Saté:
  • 1  pound  skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 8 strips
  • 1  tablespoon  light brown sugar
  • 2 1/2  tablespoons  low-sodium soy sauce (I used Tamari)
  • 2  teaspoons  bottled ground fresh ginger (such as Spice World)
  • 1  teaspoon  grated lime rind
  • 1/4  teaspoon  crushed red pepper
  • 2  garlic cloves, minced
    Sauce:
  • 1  tablespoon  light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2  tablespoons  low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1  tablespoon  fresh lime juice
  • 2  tablespoons  natural-style, nut butter of your choice (I used almond)
  • 1/4  teaspoon  crushed red pepper
  • 1  garlic clove, minced
  • Remaining ingredient:
  • Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

To prepare saté, combine chicken and next 6 ingredients (through 2 garlic cloves) in a large plastic bag. Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight if you can.

IMG_3263 

To prepare sauce, combine 1 tablespoon brown sugar and the next 5 ingredients (through 1 garlic clove) in the food processor, until all ingredients are mixed together and smooth. Serve in individual ramekins for dipping.

IMG_3303

IMG_3306

Thread chicken strips onto each of 8 (8-inch) skewers. Place chicken on rack coated with cooking spray; bake 10 minutes on each side or until chicken is done.

IMG_3301

Serve chicken with sauce.

IMG_3307

Even my grandmother who really doesn’t like food that in unfamiliar to her loved this appetizer. It had just enough spice to make the skewer melt in your mouth. I was a little worried substituting almond butter instead of the traditional peanut butter that this recipe called for. My husband said that he now prefers the almond butter sauce. I am so glad how this dish turned out. Be sure to come back tomorrow night for another great recipe!