I have to first deny all knowledge of deep frying my chicken. You would have to pay me quite a lot to get me to deep fry anything, these days. Not just from the health point of view, but um ~koff-blush~ I'm actually scared of deep frying. I know. I write a food blog and I'm scared of deep frying. What can I tell you? I think all those Public Information Films about the dangers of chip pan fires back in the seventies are still playing out in my head.
As a consequence, after velveting the chicken I just heat up a tablespoonful of oil in a wok and shallow fry to my heart's content. The chicken still gets lovely and golden and I don't have a nervous conniption. It's all good.
Served with coconut rice |
Something I would recommend highly to you - and yes, it could almost be construed as a Cook's Tip, is to invest in some authentic soy sauce. If you can get them, both light soy and dark soy, as the difference in flavour to the small amounts of Blue Dragon, or even Kikkoman, is just incredible. Once I'd invested in a large bottle of both, I wouldn't ever go back to "Westernised" soy sauce. It's just a whole different ball game and you'll find you use far less as the flavour is so much more intense.
Cooked together with sliced green pepper |
Oh, and it is nice to keep a certain amount of chopped green onion back for sprinkling over the top once served. It definitely helps the dish to look fresh and tasty. Unfortunately, I can't cope with raw spring (or green) onion, so I restrict myself to some toasted sesame seeds.
Served with a spring roll and some prawn crackers |
Hubby and I, however, just love the recipe. I've cooked it with toasted sesame seeds and without, with a sliced green pepper or mushrooms and without - in all sorts of incarnations - and we've loved them all.
As a super-quick meal to cook, you really can't do better than General Tso's chicken. It's almost one of my favourite "bung it in the wok in order and serve" recipes. If it wasn't for the fact that you cook the chicken first, then reserve it for later, it'd qualify. But then, it's just another bowl to wash up and what's another bowl when dinner tastes so good?
GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN (serves 3-4)
Ingredients :
½ cup soft brown sugar
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
3 tbsp tomato ketchup
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 flat teaspoonful of powdered ginger
a good pinch of dried red chili flakes (optional)
½ cup water
3-4 tablespoons cornstarch
500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sesame oil
6-8 spring onions chopped
toasted sesame seeds (optional).
Method :
If you are intending on using toasted sesame seeds as garnish, now is the time to toast them. Heat up your wok or frying pan and place the seeds in dry. Keep an eye on them, as once they start to toast it happens quickly! Once nicely brown and toasty, decant into a ramekin to use later.
Next, mix the brown sugar, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, ginger powder, chili flakes (if you're using them, which I recommend you do!) and water together in a bowl. This is your sauce, so set aside - but within reach!
Dredge the chicken chunks in the cornstarch and shake off any excess.
Heat the pan again and add the olive oil. Cook the chicken in the olive oil briskly on a high heat until golden brown on at least two sides. Remove the chicken and retain in a warm place.
Add a little more olive oil if necessary, plus the sesame oil and green onions (and any other veggies you might have thought to include). Cook until softened, then add the sauce and quickly bring to a boil.
Allow the mix to boil gently for as long as it takes for it to thicken slightly, then add the chicken and coat with sauce. Reduce the heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced to a glossy, syrupy consistency.
Serve with white rice, garnished with the toasted sesame seeds and some raw spring onion pieces.
Printable version
Thank you for posting this recipe; this is one of my fave dishes to have when we go out to Chinese restaurants.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, Mary! I hope you enjoy this version of the dish. :)
DeleteSharing this little FYI: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/general-tso-s-chicken-creator-dies-98-n691326
ReplyDeleteIsn't it odd how I was cooking this dish just days after the event! Something must have put the idea in my mind - although, I have to say, I like it that much it's never far from my mind when I'm thinking of what to eat! lol
DeleteAll dishes from your stable are mouth watering Jenny. This one is trumps and must say I have had the pleasure of cooking it quite a few time albeit with a twist. One of these day will share it with you.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Jasii