6 tbsp. soy sauce (approx.)
1/4 c. dry sherry
1 clove garlic
3 or 4 shakes ground ginger or 1 thin slice ginger root
1/2 c. + 1 tbsp. sugar (approx.)
5-6 star anise
2 c. water (approx.)
10 boned and skinned chicken breast halves)
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. sugar

Place 1/4 cup soy sauce, sherry, garlic, ginger, 1/2 cup sugar, star anise and 1 cup of the water in an electric frying pan (or large frying pan). Add chicken in one layer and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Sauce will be thick.

Turn chicken. Add remaining 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon sugar.

Taste. If too salty, add more sugar. If too sweet, add more soy sauce.

Cook for 30 minutes more or until chicken is cooked through. Keep adding water when sauce gets too thick. Periodically turn chicken. Keep tasting sauce and add soy sauce or sugar if necessary. Chicken should be a deep brown. Serves 10.

Chicken thighs or drumsticks without skin may be substituted for some of the chicken breasts. Total calories: 1 breast 196, 1 thigh 161, 1 drumstick 132. Sat-fat calories: 1 breast 7, 1 thigh 13, 1 drumstick 6.