Takeout-Style Sweet And Sour Chicken
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Takeout-Style Sweet and Sour Chicken. Laura Chase de Formigny for The Washington Post
For the chicken
2 large eggs, beaten
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups canola oil
For the sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium cloves garlic, smashed, then minced (scant 1 tablespoon)
2 thin slices peeled ginger root, cut into matchsticks, then finely chopped (1 tablespoon)
1 large red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
½ medium onion, cut into 1-inch pieces (about ½ cup)
¾ cup water, plus more for the cornstarch slurry
½ cup canned pineapple chunks, plus 6 tablespoons of juice from the can (from one 8-ounce can; do not use pineapple chunks in heavy syrup)
1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
¼ cup sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Make the chicken: In a medium bowl, stir together the eggs, cornstarch, flour and kosher salt. The batter should be liquidy enough to coat the chicken. If the batter looks too dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water and stir again. Add the chicken and stir gently to coat. Let stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, warm the 2 cups canola oil to 350 degrees. Working in 2 or 3 batches, add the chicken and fry until golden brown on the outside and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per batch, turning the pieces over halfway through. Using a slotted spoon or skimmer, transfer the chicken to a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
Make the sauce: In a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, warm the 2 tablespoons of oil until shimmering. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry just until fragrant (do not let the garlic burn), about 1 minute, then add the pepper and onion, stirring to coat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes (do not let the onion take on color), then add the 3/4 cup water, the pineapple and its juices. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add the vinegar, sugar and ketchup and cook, stirring to form a red sauce.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 to 2 tablespoons water (just enough to form a slurry), then stir it into the sauce, which should thicken almost immediately. Add the cooked chicken and stir to coat the pieces evenly. Remove from the heat, transfer to a platter and serve.
Serves 4 to 6
Nutrition (based on 6 servings) | Calories: 300; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Cholesterol: 135 mg; Sodium: 400 mg; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; Sugars: 14 g; Protein: 17 g.
(Adapted from former catering kitchen cook Sheila Chang, of Silver Spring, Maryland, and "The Chinese Takeout Cookbook," by Diana Kuan. Ballantine Books, 2012.)
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