Soy Chicken

3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1" fresh ginger, sliced
1 tsp. oil
1 1/2 cups light (not low sodium) soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 star anise
2 lb. chicken pieces

In a large saucepan, saute garlic and ginger over medium heat until fragrant.
Add soy sauce, water, brown sugar and star anise. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Add chicken pieces. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a bare simmer. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, turning chicken pieces, until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken and serve warm or cold.

Makes 6 servings

For a deeper brown colour, use half light and half dark soy sauce.

Remaining seasoned soy sauce can be "reused": strain sauce into a plastic container and freeze. Scoop out sauce to flavour other dishes or reheat with more garlic, ginger and soy sauce to cook another batch of chicken.