| Let me introduce to you one of my | | | | Ingredients: |
| favourite recipes -- Szechwan chicken -- | | | | Chicken: |
| a sharp flavoured dish. It is chicken | | | | 1 lb. boneless chicken breast, cubed |
| stir-fried and covered in a dark | | | | 4-6 carrots, sliced into 1/4" pieces |
| soy-based sauce with ginger and hot | | | | 1 can bamboo shoots |
| peppers. The meal is very beautiful when | | | | 12-15 dried hot peppers |
| served, and even more impressive to | | | | Olive oil |
| watch while being made. Here is a bonus | | | | Sauce: (Thoroughly mix all ingredients |
| hint for you: use this to its fullest | | | | before preparation) |
| advantage by making the meal on dates or | | | | 6 tbsp. soy sauce + 3 tbsp. water (or 9 |
| other events in which being impressive | | | | tbsp. of low-sodium soy sauce) |
| could be considered advantageous. | | | | 2-3 tbsp. cornstarch |
| It is best to serve Szechwan Chicken | | | | Chopped fresh ginger or powdered dry |
| with rice, or another mild dish to | | | | ginger (to taste, usually 3 tbsp.) |
| offset the spicy heat of the stir-fry. | | | | 3 tbsp. Sherry |
| Vegetables are also a nice touch, and | | | | Instructions: |
| along with rice will serve to round out | | | | 1. Place the peppers and 1 tbsp. of |
| the meal to match anything you would | | | | cooking oil in a wok. |
| find at an expensive restaurant. The | | | | 2. Brown the peppers under medium-high |
| sauce from the stir-fry can also be used | | | | heat, then remove them to a plate. |
| to fry a number of vegetables to | | | | 3. Place the cubed chicken in the wok |
| accompany the meal. Recycling the sauce | | | | and cook until pink color disappears |
| you used with the chicken is a quick and | | | | (2-5 min). |
| easy way to get the most out of your | | | | 4. Remove the chicken from the wok. |
| preparation time! | | | | 5. Add 1 tbsp. of oil to the wok, and |
| This dish is best served with a sweet | | | | add the carrots. |
| beverage, like white win, cola or other | | | | 6. Stir-fry until carrots begin to |
| soda, or mixed drinks. The heat from the | | | | soften. (If you prefer soft vegetables, |
| peppers mixes well with any Mexican | | | | you can add several tablespoons of water |
| beverage. | | | | to the carrots and steam them for 5 min. |
| Overall this is a very special dish, | | | | 7. Add the bamboo shoots and stir-fry |
| which does require some extra time to | | | | 1-2 minutes. |
| cook but once you are ready you'll be | | | | 8. Add the (browned) peppers, chicken, |
| happy with the result... and as I said | | | | and the sauce to the wok. |
| the preparation process itself is very | | | | 9. Stir under medium heat until the |
| unique and interesting by itself. So | | | | sauce thickens. |
| enjoy cooking it! | | | | |