Chinese Braised Chicken Food

CHINESE BRAISED CHICKEN AND CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Boil chestnuts, remove skins.
• Saute onions and ginger in oil, add chicken.
• Add soy sauce, salt, sugar, wine and water, braise over medium heat till half done (about 15 minutes).
• Add chestnuts, continue to braise until done.

CHINESE STYLE FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cut chicken into inch pieces.
• Whisk together egg whites and soy sauce.
• Soak chicken in soy mixture for 20 minutes covered in the fridge.
• Add 2 cups oil to wok or deep fryer.
• Heat wok to 350°F.
• Put cornstarch and flour into a reseal able plastic freezer bag.
• Add chicken to bag a little at a time, shake until evenly coated. Add more of the 50/50 flour mixture as needed to finish the job.
• Add chicken to wok.
• Fry 15 seconds only. No browning yet!
• Remove chicken and place aside on a cookie sheet or bowl lined with paper towels.
• After all of the chicken has cooked for 15 seconds let cool for a few minutes.
• Fry it an additional 15-20 seconds or until golden.
• Always check meat. If it is pink it needs to be cooked longer.
• Top with your favorite lemon or orange sauce.

EASY CHINESE SOY-BRAISED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Begin heating soy sauce and water over medium flame. Add ginger, sugar, cinnamon, and star anise.
• Bring mixture to simmer and add chicken. Reduce heat to very low and cover casserole dish/pot. Make sure heat is as low as can be without turning off; simmering soy sauce can easily become rapidly boiling soy sauce, which can easily become a big mess to clean up.
• Cook chicken for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. Cut one open to check for doneness. Ladle chicken from sauce mixture and serve as is. Or if you're handy with a cleaver, chop up those thighs into smaller pieces. Garnish with scallions.

"RESTAURANT STYLE" CHINESE CASHEW CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cube chicken into bite size pieces and place in a medium size mixing bowl.
• Add the salt, rice cooking wine, ginger and cornstarch to the chicken cubes, using a fork to mix it in and adding the cornstarch last, mix again. Cover and marinate the chicken for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
• Prepare the sauce ingredients while the chicken is marinating. In a small size mixing bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients and set aside.
• Finely mince the garlic. Wash and slice the green onions on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces, chop the broccoli, slice the celery, carrots, onions and drain the sliced water chestnuts.
• Roast the cashews in a heavy skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan continuously so that the nuts do not burn. Roast for about 5 minutes, or until the cashews are lightly browned. Remove from the pan and let cool completely.
• Heat the wok or large size skillet over medium-high to high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic. Stir-fry until aromatic (about 30 seconds). Add the coated chicken cubes. Stir-fry until they change color (about 5 to 7 minutes) and are cooked through. Remove from the wok or frying pan, keep warm.
• Add 2 tablespoons oil to the same wok or skillet. When the oil is hot, add the stir-frying vegetables. Stir-fry until crunchy-tender (about 5 to 6 minutes), then push up to the sides of the pan. Add the sauce and the chicken. Heat everything through and then fold all together to completely coat with sauce. Serve the chicken and vegetables over prepared rice (Jasmine rice is the best) and the roasted cashews on top as a tasty garnish.
• Makes 4 servings.

CHINESE HONEY-SOY BRAISED CHICKEN WINGS (MUT JUP MUN GAI YIK)

Steps:

• Cut each chicken wing into 3 pieces. Discard wing tips or reserve for stock.
• Heat oil in wok or skillet and fry joints on high heat for 3-4 minutes, or until browned.
• Add soy, honey, wine or sherry, garlic and ginger, stir well.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer about 30 minutes or until tender.
• Stir frequently towards end of cooking and make sure the sweet does not burn.
• Serve warm (the book says or at room temperature - I prefer them warm), either with white rice (serves 4) or as a main course for two (served with a cool beer in front of the TV).
• Note: This recipe can use a whole chicken, cut up, instead of only the wings.