Japanese Mum's Chicken

Description
We have a Japanese girl Tomoko living with us, and tonight she and I cooked a Japanese dinner for us and her friends. She phoned her mum Toshiko in Japan for this, her favourite recipe, and I wanted to share it here. It's simple and soooo good, and Tomoko who is only 16 did such a good job of cooking this, then translating the recipe to English for me.



Ingredients

 * 8 chicken drumsticks, skin on (the skin is important for flavour, and is so tasty to eat!)
 * 1 cup water
 * 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
 * 1/3 cup soy sauce
 * 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
 * 1 clove garlic, peeled and bruised
 * 1 small hot chili pepper, slit open, seeds removed

Directions
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan over a high heat. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 20 minutes. Remove any scum that rises to the surface. Increase the heat, turning the drumsticks frequently in the sauce, and cook until the liquid has reduced to a sticky glaze. Arrange the chicken on a serving platter, remove the garlic clove and chili from the liquid, and spoon the glaze over.