Recipes:
## Chicken Legs with Fresh Basil
### INGREDIENTS
1 jalapeño, deseeded, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 chicken legs
1/2 cup halved fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup bamboo shoots
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped or
2 tablespoons dried basil
**SERVES 4**
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### Make Ahead
Prepare through step 3 up to 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate until ready to add the sugar and soy sauce and complete the cooking.
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### VARIATION
Chopped fresh mint lends an interesting taste when used in place of the fresh basil.
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### 1
Purée jalapeño, garlic and shallots in a blender with a little water until well chopped but not completely smooth.
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### 2
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add purée; cook, stirring continually, until mixture is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add chicken.
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### 3
Add mushrooms to skillet; cover. Cook, turning chicken occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Add bamboo shoots to skillet.
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### 4
Stir together sugar and soy sauce in a small bowl. Add to skillet; stir until sauce is heated through. Remove from heat. Sprinkle fresh basil over chicken.
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### Make It Quicker
• The easiest way to remove the seeds from a jalapeño is to cut off the stem end, slice the pepper in half lengthwise, and scoop the seeds out with a small spoon.
• Wearing disposable plastic gloves when deseeding hot peppers will keep the hot pepper oil away from your skin.
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