A Friday to Remember

Last Friday night's Shabbat dinner was so wonderful that exactly one week later I am still smiling.

Josh and I had his college roommate Adam and his wife Courtney over for dinner. It was such a great night. Josh and Adam have not only known each other since they were 18, but they are so similar! It was great for Courtney and I to hear all about there college days and to get some insight on what these two guys were like way back when. We also found out just how much Courtney and I have in common. I hate that we don't get see them enough. Every time we hang out it is always a blast!

One of the newest fun facts that we all learned about one another was our mutual obsession with the Amazing Race. We also decided that the boys would make an unstoppable team. They are both very competitive and good at following directions. Josh is a great driver, good with maps, and a fantastic handy man. Adam speaks other languages, will eat anything, and can think a few steps ahead of the competition. They also have a great gimmick, which I do not want to spoil for you, but have you ever seen the movie Keeping the Faith? Watch out Phil, Adam and Josh are coming to win the Amazing Race!

Josh and I are going to miss Adam and Courtney terribly when they move all the way to North Carolina, but I have a feeling that the distance will make our visits that much more special.

With such a small group compared to many of our Shabbat dinners it was fun to be able to set our new dining room table. I was able to use all of our favorite dishes and serving pieces. It was fun to be creative with the table and the meal. Of course I wanted my favorite dish for dinner, sesame chicken :) It never gets old.

For dinner we had chicken, rice, broccoli, salad, and challah. And for dessert, brownies. YUM! There was no doubt that the food was just as wonderful as the company.

Want to know how to make Josh's Famous Sesame Chicken? It is so easy and beyond tasty!

Ingredients (sometimes we like to double it to have lots of extra sauce)

• 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes(depends on how hot you like your food)
• 2-4 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions

*For the vegetarians out there, try this recipe with Tofu instead.

Directions

1. Cut chicken breast into 1 inch strips or bite size pieces.
2. Heat a large non-stick pan that has been sprayed with Pam(or 2 tablespoons of sesame oil for extra flavor) over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken for about 6 minutes or until no longer pink. Turn the pieces every couple of minutes.
4. While chicken is cooking, mix together honey, soy sauce, water, corn starch, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
5. Whisk until no corn starch lumps remain.
6. When chicken is no longer pink, add sauce to the pan with chicken.
7. The heat should cause the sauce to begin to thicken. If the sauce is too thick add a little water.
8. Sprinkle with sesame seeds
9. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until chicken starts to soak up sauce.
10. When plating the chicken and sauce, Josh likes to garnish with some chopped scallions and of course more sesame seeds.