Yakitori Meatballs and Soba Noodles

I used to work for a Japanese company, and it was there that I developed a love of all things yakitori. We would go to little yakitori places for lunch, but in Japan it is a common street food. In both places the yakitori is cooked over a charcoal grill that is long and skinny - just wide enough to hold the little skewers.

Alternatively, this recipe is made with chicken meatballs that are baked in the oven.  The soba noodles are so easy and are mixed with a sesame glaze and green beans.  This is a complete meal that is easy, hits all the food groups, and it always a crowd pleaser.  If you have big kids with big appetites, then be prepared to make extra.

---

CHICKEN YAKITORI MEATBALL SKEWERS
with sweet soy glaze, green beans & soba noodle salad

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb  ground chicken
1/3 c panko
Yakitori Seasoning: 4 t sesame oil, 1 t ginger paste, 1 t garlic, 1/4 t white pepper
6 green onions
12 bamboo skewers
1 T dried chives
1T lemongrass powder
1T ground ginger
1T toasted sesame seeds

Glaze: 2 T tamari, 2 T mirin, 1 t sugar, 1 t rice vinegar

6 oz green beans
6 oz radishes
8 oz soba noodles
6 T sesame oil

Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste


1. Preheat the Oven to 375°

2. Place skewers in water to soak

3. Prepare the vegetables:

• Trim green beans and cut into 2” pieces
• Remove very bottom root from green onions, then chop into about 2” pieces, large enough to thread onto skewers
• Thinly slice radishes

4.  In a med pot, heat sesame oil over med for 1 min
Place the dried chives, lemongrass powder, dried ginger and toasted sesame seeds in a bowl.  Mix well, and then pour the the heated sesame oil over it, stirring well.

5. Cook the Soba Noodles

• Wipe out pot and bring salted water to boil
• Add noodles to boiling water and cook 3–4 min, then add green beans and cook another 2–3 min or until noodles are done, then drain and rinse under cold water
• Add drained soba noodles & green beans to the bowl with the sesame oil mixture
• Add radish & 2 Tbsp of the Glaze Starter to the noodles, then toss to combine, and refrigerate

6. Make the Yakitori

• Line a baking sheet with foil & brush lightly with oil
• Lightly pat ground chicken dry with a paper towel 
• In a bowl, combine ground chicken, panko, Yakitori seasoning & 1/2 tsp salt 
• Form chicken mixture into 24-28 meatballs
• Thread 2–3 meatballs onto each skewer, alternating with green onion pieces
• Brush skewers with the Glaze and bake 10–15 min, turning halfway and brushing with remaining glaze

4. Place soba noodle salad onto plates and top with yakitori skewers