Chicken Satay with Homemade Peanut Sauce

I love Chicken Satay and can't see myself ever get tired of eating them. The taste and aroma bring back childhood memories of watching the "Abang Sate" (satay man) grill them next to their cart on the side of the road and me drooling, ready to devour every single piece.

Being in the US, eating satay has become somewhat of a luxury. People make them for special celebrations like birthdays or sell them at an Indonesian food bazaar -- at a pretty hefty price! If you're like me and can't wait for another party or bazaar to eat them...why not make them at home?

Makes about 20 skewers

Ingredients

1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into chunky strips)
1/4 C. sweet soy sauce
4 shallots (minced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
Bamboo skewers

Peanut Sauce
1 C. creamy peanut butter
1/2 C. water
5 shallots (minced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1/4 C. sugar
2 T. sweet soy sauce
Salt to taste
Fried shallots (for garnish)

Cooking instruction:

1. Mix sweet soy sauce, shallots, and garlic. Add chicken pieces and marinade for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.

2. Thread chicken pieces until they cover a little more than 1/2 of the skewer. Continue until all chicken is used.

3. Grill chicken skewers on a charcoal grill, turning them until they're completely cooked.

4. To make peanut sauce, mix all ingredients (except fried shallots) in a sauce pan on medium heat. Add a little more water if sauce seem too thick.

5. Place chicken skewers on a serving plate. Pour warm peanut sauce over and top with fried shallots. Serve hot.

Chicken Satay makes great bite-size appetizers, too.