It never hurts to have 2 versions-Then you can pick and choose!
…and yes I do DickeydooBBQ! for about 1/2 an hour!
General Tso's Chicken
It's not really a Chinese dish, but it's nevertheless one of the most popular dishes at Chinese restaurants here where I live, and elsewhere. General Tso's Chicken is very inexpensive to make, but some restaurants charge rather a lot for it, usually putting it with "Chef's Specialities" and the like on the menu, rather than with the ordinary chicken dishes. No fair! This is how to make it.
• 1 lb thighs (marinate in 1 tbs. soy and 1 tps. vinegar and 1/4 C water in a ziplock baggie for an hr.), boned and cubed (chicken nugget size)
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup and 2 tsp cornstarch
Sauce
• 5 dried pepper pods
• 1-1/2 tbsp rice vinegar (or whatever you have)
• 2 tbsp rice wine or sherry (no cooking sherry)
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
In a large bowl, thoroughly blend the 1/2 cup of cornstarch and the eggs; add the chicken and toss to coat.
Let sit for 1/2 hour. If the mixture bonds too well, add some vegetable oil to separate the pieces.
In a small bowl, prepare the sauce mixture by combining the 2 tsp cornstarch with the wine, vinegar, sugar and soy sauce.
First-Stage Frying: Heat 1-2 inches of peanut oil in a wok to medium-high heat (350-400o). Fry the chicken in small batches, just long enough to cook the chicken through. Remove the chicken to absorbent paper and allow to stand (this step can be performed well in advance, along with the sauce mixture, with both refrigerated).
Second-Stage Frying: Leave a tablespoon or two of the oil in the wok. Add the pepper pods to the oil and stir-fry briefly, awakening the aroma but not burning them. Return the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until the pieces are crispy brown.
Adding The Sauce: Add the sauce-mixture to the wok, tossing over the heat until the sauce caramelizes into a glaze (1-2 minutes). Serve along with steamed broccoli and rice. If you need a little more heat, add a tbs. or two of Srirachi Sauce. (my cheap fix for everything! :oops: )
Optional Sauce : Buy a jar of Iron Chef General Tsoâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Sauce for $3.00 (itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s hard to beat) :roll: