cashewnut chicken
a stir fried dish of tender chicken in a savoury-sweet sauce
Equipment
- 2 knives
- 2 chopping boards
- 1 frying pan
- 1 wok
- 1 Turner
Ingredients
Protein
- 500g chicken breast/tofu
Veggies and Nuts
- 1 cup cashewnuts
- 100g onions
- 100g green bell pepper
- 1 tbsp finely chopped Garlic
- 1 tsp crushed green chillies (optional) for medium spice level
- 2 sweet red chillies optional
Flours and Oils
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1 cup sesame oil
Sauces
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
Seasonings
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 8-10 dried red birds eye chilli
- 2 tsp flavour enhancer/msg/ajinomoto
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp salt
Instructions
Preparing the chicken
- Slice the chicken breast into thin stakes. if using Tofu, cut it into cubes and follow the same process.
- Marinate chicken with 1 tsp salt, black pepper powder, 1 tsp flavour enhancer,1 tbsp cornflour, 1 tbsp oyster sauce and 1 tbsp light soy sauce.
- Pan fry the chicken stake pieces using some of the sesame oil on medium high flame, in small batches. Fry a minute or two on each side until brown. The chicken will change its colour from white to pink to brown. this process will not take longer than a minute on each side. Do not overcook as it will make the chicken rubbery and take away all the moisture.
Preparing The Sauce
- Prepare a slurry with the left over cornflour (1 tbsp) and 1/2 cup water.
- Mix together the left over soy sauce and oyster sauce. Add the salt, pepper and flavour enhancer as well in the sauces. Stir in well and keep aside.
Stir Fry
- In a wok heat the rest of the sesame oil. splatter sesame seeds and saute chopped garlic.
- Add crushed green chilli (if using)
- Throw in the cashews with onions, peppers and saute for a minute.
- Mix in the prepared chicken pieces and sweet red chillies (if using)
- Finally add the sauces mix, stir in.
- Pour the cornflour slurry and quickly stir in. The sauce will thicken slightly.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
- The sauce should be of a semi dry consistency. Finish off with a silky finish.let it sizzle and serve!
Notes
Note:
These measurements will give you medium spice level. Adjust accordingly.
Dried red chillies add a wonderful colour , texture and aroma to the dish. Beware not to chew them if you do not like spice.