Kung Pao Chicken
This has long been a favorite dish of mine, since I first tried it at the Szechuan Imperial in New York City in 1978. Unfortunately, versions at most restaurants have been "Cantonesed", and aren't close to what I first tried; for example, adding vegetables such as green peppers. It is a simple dish, but I haven't yet been satisfied with my attempts to cook it.
This recipe is based on information I got from the owner of Yen Ching in Harvard Square, who had a recipe I really liked. It's close enough for now.
The sauce:
- 1 tbs dark soy sauce
- 2 tbs light soy sauce
- 2 tbs cooking sherry
- 2 tbs white vinegar
Mix together:
- 1 tbs chopped garlic
- 4 tbs corn starch
- 2 tbs sesame oil
- 1 to 1.5 pounds chicken thigh meat, in 1 inch cubes
Fry hot peppers in oil until they are blackened. Beware the smoking oil: it is very bad for the lungs and eyes!
- 4 tbs oil
- around 30 tienjan Szechuan dried hot peppers
Add the peanuts and fry until they begin to brown (or the skin cracks.)
- 3/4 cup peanuts
Then remove the peanuts and peppers to a bowl.
Fry the chicken mix in the spicy oil until lightly browned on one side, the flip and brown, then stir until it is cooked.
- 1 large or 3 small scallions, chopped
Add the sauce, return the peanuts and peppers, add scallions, and cook until the sauce is thickened or absorbed.
Serves four.