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General Tso’s chichken is a famous dish in North American Chinese restaurant. However, this food’s origin is claimed by Taiwan and New York, and rather unknown in China before introduced by a chef returning home from United States. The name itself came from General Tso Tsung-tang a Chinese statesman and military leader in the late Qing Dynasty. It’s unclear whether the name is only as a tribute to the general, or because he loved this dish back then.
Let’s not argue about the origin and the name of this food, as we’re here because we love food, not to debate politic and cultural heritage. So, this is the Chinese General Tso’s chicken recipe:
Ingredients:
Meat:
3 lbs deboned dark chicken meat, cut into large chunks
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 egg
1 cup cornstarch
Vegetable oil for deep−frying
2 cups sliced green onions
16 small dried hot peppers
Sauce:
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp minced ginger root
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup cooking wine
1 1/2 cup hot chicken broth
1 teaspoon monosodium glutamate (optional)
General Tso's chicken (Illustration only, results may vary)
Directions:
- Mix 1/2 cup cornstarch with water. Add garlic, ginger, sugar, 1/2 cup soy sauce, vinegar, wine, chicken broth and MSG (optional). Stir until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until needed.
- In different bowl, mix chicken, 1/4 cup soy sauce and white pepper. Stir in egg. Add 1 cup cornstarch and mix until chicken pieces are coated evenly. Add cup of vegetable oil to help separate chicken pieces.
- Divide chicken into small quantities and deep−fry at 350 degrees for few minutes or until it’s crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Place a small amount of oil in wok and heat until wok is hot. Add onions and peppers and stir−fry briefly. Stir sauce and add to wok.
- Place chicken in sauce and cook in moderate heat for few minutes until sauce thickens.
- Better serve the General Tso’s chicken in a heated serving dish.
Note: You might try some chili paste in the sauce if you want this to be spicy, but don’t want to eat whole chili peppers. You can also try to substitute chicken with other boneless meat that can be cut up in small pieces (like shrimp or beef maybe?).
