Chicken Yakitori with Broccoli for Two

Preheat grill to medium. (No grill? Preheat broiler to high.)

Bring soy sauce, sake (or sherry), mirin and brown sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook for 1 minute. Combine cornstarch with water; add to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Set aside a generous 2 tablespoons of the sauce.

Cut broccoli into florets with 1- to 2-inch stems; toss with oil in a bowl. Thread through the stems onto two 10- to 12-inch skewers. Cut scallions into 1- to 2-inch pieces. Cut chicken crosswise into 1-inch strips. Fold each strip in half. Thread the folded chicken onto the remaining 2 skewers alternately with the scallions. Generously brush both sides of the chicken skewers with the sauce from the pan.

Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the skewers, turning once or twice, until the chicken is just cooked through and the broccoli is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve each portion with 1 tablespoon of the reserved sauce for dipping. (Broiler variation: Place the skewers on an oiled broiler pan or oiled wire rack set on a large baking sheet. Broil, turning once, 5 to 6 minutes per side.)