Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.--Carl Jung 

It felt really good to be back in the kitchen tonight. I have a project that's going live at work and I've also been trying to pull together a training class that we're doing next week so it's been long, long days and total exhaustion when I get home. I've missed cooking, though. I've been flipping through some of my old 'Cooking Light' mags and have been anxious to try a few new things. Like the Chicken Satay I made tonight. It was seriously delicious! And, the spicy peanut sauce?  So easy and so crazy good!

You're going to need  wooden skewers for this (the smaller ones) and if you're going to use a grill with an open flame, be sure to soak the skewers for about a half hour beforehand.  If you use a grill pan, like I did, there's no need.  Serve the satay with a side of roasted asparagus, drizzled with a little of the peanut sauce.  You're going to love it and, I promise, you'll never buy jarred peanut sauce again!

Satay

1 tbs brown sugar
2 1/2 tbs soy sauce
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp grated lime rind
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (more if you like it hot)
2 garlic cloves, minced or grated
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken tenders

Sauce
1 tbs brown sugar
1 1/2 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs fresh lime juice
2 tbs smooth peanut butter
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (more for extra heat)
1 garlic clove, minced or grated


Combine first 6 Sate ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together. Coat chicken and let stand for 10 minutes. To prepare sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until sugar dissolves. Preheat grill or grill pan over medium high. Thread chicken strips onto skewers and grill 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Serve with peanut sauce.