Sesame Braised Chicken With Scallions Daikon And Mushrooms Food

SESAME BRAISED CHICKEN WITH SCALLIONS, DAIKON AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Trim the roots off the scallions. Separate the dark green tops from the bottoms.
• In a 5- or 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil and 1.5 teaspoons sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the scallion bottoms, daikon, mushrooms and garlic cloves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 7 minutes. Add the ginger and cook 1 minute more. Use a slotted spoon to transfer vegetables to a platter.
• Pat chicken dry; season inside and out with salt and pepper. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil and 1.5 teaspoons sesame oil to the Dutch oven. Brown chicken, turning, until the skin is well browned. Turn chicken breast-side up. Scatter the vegetables around the chicken. In a small bowl, whisk together the stock, sherry and soy sauce. Pour over the chicken. Drop in the star anise pods. Tightly cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink, 50 to 60 minutes.
• Remove to a cutting board. Skim fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Chop the scallion tops and stir in, with the vinegar. Carve chicken and serve, topped with vegetables and pot juices.

PERFECT SESAME CHICKEN

Steps:

• Sift flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder into a bowl. Pour in low-sodium soy sauce, sherry, 2 tablespoons water, vegetable oil, and a dash of sesame oil; stir until smooth. Stir in chicken until coated with the batter, then cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring chicken broth, sugar, vinegar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, chile paste, and garlic to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Dissolve 1/4 cup cornstarch into 1/2 cup of water, and stir into boiling sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens and turns clear, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and keep sauce warm.
• Heat olive oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to a temperature of 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Drop in the battered chicken pieces, a few at a time, and fry until they turn golden brown and float to the top of the oil, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. To serve, place fried chicken pieces onto a serving platter, and pour the hot sauce overtop. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds to garnish.