Chikuzenni (Chicken and Root Vegetable Stew)

Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch square pieces, put in a bowl and splash 1 tablespoon of sake over them. Let them sit for 10 minutes.

Peel and cut carrots, burdock root and potatoes into same-size pieces as the chicken. Cut off the stems of the shiitake mushrooms and cut them to match the vegetables and chicken. Blanch snow peas and cut pods in half diagonally.

Heat a medium-deep saucepan over high heat and add sesame oil. Add the burdock root, sauté for 1 minute and then add the chicken. Sauté for another minute or two, and then add the remaining vegetables except for the snow peas. Add the dashi broth.

When the broth starts boiling, add sugar. Cook over high heat for about 5 minutes.

Add soy sauce and remaining sake and continue to cook until almost all the liquid is cooked down (10 to 15 minutes).

Add mirin and let the alcohol evaporate; this process gives a nice glaze to the ingredients.

Remove from heat. Garnish with snow peas. Serve warm or cold.