Bang Bang Chicken With Sichuan Salad Food

BANG BANG CHICKEN WITH SICHUAN SALAD

Steps:

• Toast the peppercorns in a small frying pan until they begin to darken. Remove and cool, then crush with a large pinch of salt using a pestle and mortar. Mix in a bowl with the cucumber. Set aside.
• Put the chicken in a bowl and rub in the oil and five-spice, leaving to marinate for an hour or use straight away. Cook on the barbecue, turning regularly, for 35-40 mins until the juices run clear.
• Whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce until smooth, adding water if needed.
• Drain the cucumber and mix through the carrots, spring onions, sesame oil, lime juice and coriander. Serve everything on a big platter to share.

BANG BANG CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a small saucepan, pour over enough water to cover and add a handful of chopped scallions.
• Cover and poach the chicken for about six minutes over a low heat.
• Remove the chicken from the pan, and when cool, finely shredded.
• Heat the oil in a wok over a high heat and add the chopped chilies, ginger, toasted sesame seeds, peanut butter, sesame oil, brown sugar and rice wine to the pan.
• Turn down the heat and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook down for about 1-2 minutes before removing the wok from the heat and leaving the sauce to cool.
• In a large pan of boiling water, blanch the beansprouts for a few seconds, drain and pat dry with a cloth. Mix the beansprouts with the scallions and carrots and divide the salad between four plates.
• Top with the shredded chicken breast and drizzle over the peanut sauce before serving at room temperature.

BANG BANG CHICKEN (SZECHUAN)

Steps:

• Bring the water to a rolling boil in a wok or large saucepan. Add the chicken pieces, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 30-35 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and immerse in a bowl of cold water for at least 1 hour to cool it.
• Remove the chicken pieces, drain and dry with paper towels. Take all meat off the bones.
• On a flat surface, pound the chicken with a rolling pin, then tear the meat into shreds with 2 forks. Mix the chicken with the shredded cucumber and arrange in a serving dish.
• To serve, mix together all the sauce ingredients until thoroughly combined and pour over the chicken and cucumber in a serving dish. Sprinkle some sesame seeds and chopped scallions over the sauce.