Midnight City

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• Sesame seeds and sliced scallions, to finish
• Wooden skewers, soaked in water 20 minutes

Method

1. Stir the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Marinate the chicken in it for 30 minutes in the fridge.
2. Thread the chicken onto the skewers.
3. Grill or broil 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until the chicken reaches 165 F.
4. Shower with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve standing in a tall glass for the skyline look.

Ingredients

• 12 oz lo mein noodles or spaghetti
• 1 lb flank steak, sliced thin against the grain
• 5 tbsp soy sauce, divided
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, cut into matchsticks
• 1 cup snap peas
• 2 tbsp neutral oil

Method

1. Cook the noodles per package, drain, and toss with a little oil so they do not stick.
2. Stir 3 tbsp of the soy sauce, the oyster sauce, brown sugar and sesame oil into a sauce. Toss the steak with the remaining 2 tbsp soy sauce.
3. Sear the steak in a hot oiled pan or wok, 2 to 3 minutes, then remove.
4. Stir-fry the vegetables 2 to 3 minutes. Return the steak, add the noodles and sauce, and toss until everything is glossy.
5. Serve in deep bowls.

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

Method

1. Toss the cucumbers with the salt and let sit 5 minutes, then pat dry.
2. Dress with the vinegar, sesame oil and sugar.
3. Top with sesame seeds and chili flakes. Serve cold.

Ingredients

• 6 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• Gold sprinkles or shaved chocolate, to finish (optional)

Method

1. Melt the chocolate with 1/2 cup of the cream in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, or in short microwave bursts. Cool 10 minutes.
2. Whip the remaining 1 cup cream with the sugar and vanilla to soft peaks.
3. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate in two additions until no streaks remain.
4. Spoon into small glasses and chill at least 2 hours. Finish with gold sprinkles for the city-lights look.