Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Kung Pao Chicken Pasta


Kimberly
Kung Pao Chicken Pasta
serves 6
Kung pao sauce
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 TBL cornstarch 
3/4 cups soy sauce
1/2 cup dry sherry 
 3 TBL red chili paste with garlic          
1/4 cup sugar
2 TBL red wine vinegar
2 TBL Asian toasted sesame oil
stir fry 
1 1/2 lbs Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
1 red bell pepper
3 cups green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces
10 whole chinese dried red chili peppers
1 cup unsalted peanuts
1/4 cup garlic, minced
1/2 cup plus 2 TBL olive oil
 2 egg whites
2 TBL cornstarch
1/2 teas salt
1 lb spaghetti noodles
Kung Pao Sauce
In medium saucepan, whisk together the chicken stock and cornstarch until cornstarch is dissolved.  Stir in all remaining sauce ingredients and bring to boil over med-high heat.  Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes.  Set aside.
Chicken
In a mixing bowl, use a small whisk to stir together egg whites, corn starch, and salt.  Mix well, but do not beat into a froth.  Place chicken pieces into bowl.  Toss until chicken is covered with egg mixture.  In a large frying pan, heat 1/2 cup olive oil on high heat, about 1 minute.  Carefully add chicken pieces to oil, let pieces touch and over lap so you can flip as one piece. Be carful not to splatter oil.
 Let cook until golden brown.  Using large spatula, carefully flip the pieces over together.  Gently break pieces apart from each other. Brown other side.  Set aside.
Prepare pasta according to directions for al dente pasta.
Stir Fry
In a wok or large frying pan heat 2 TBL olive oil on high heat, about 1 minute.  Add Chinese peppers and peanuts.  As soon as they darken in color, no more than a minute, stir in garlic.  Stir 30 seconds, then add green onions, red pepper, and chicken.  Stir 1 minute, then add Kung Pao sauce.  Mix well heat until bubbling.  Turn off heat.
Place drained pasta back in pot.  Toss with the Kung Pao chicken sauce.  Mix well.  Serve immediately.
*Use fresh garlic for best results.
*This is a family favorite.  Everybody loves it, even my Noah who doesn't like spicy food.  However be warned you will crave it.  

2 comments: