JAPANESE GRILLED CHICKEN MEATBALLS (TSUKUNE)

SERVES 4 TO 6           TIME:1 HOUR

Ingredients

• 1 cup soy sauce, preferably Japanese
• 1 cup mirin
• ¹⁄₄ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. mizuame (Japanese sugar candy)
• 2 lb. ground chicken
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 ¹⁄₂ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1` bunch scallions, trimmed and minced
• vegetable oil, for greasing

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced by one-third, about 20 minutes. Stir in the mizuame and cook until the mizuame dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the glaze cool.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground chicken with the salt, pepper, scallions, and ginger until thoroughly combined. Form the meat into 20 oblong meatballs, about 1 ¹⁄₂-oz. each, and place the meatballs on a lightly greased foil-lined baking sheet.
3. Heat the broiler and broil the meatballs, turning and basting every 2 minutes with the glaze, until the meatballs are cooked through and dark golden brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve while hot.