Mongolian Chicken

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

2 tsp groundnut/peanut oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
10 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts cut on diagonal
into 1/4"-thick by 2"-long slices
1/2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp freshly-ground chilis
1/2 tsp finely-chopped onion
2 tsp cold water
2 tsp sugar
1 tbl groundnut/peanut oil
1 tbl Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
1/3 cup Family Chicken Broth (see recipe)
1 tsp dark soy sauce
4 x Chinese dried mushrooms soaked in warm
water for 45 minutes, rinsed, water
squeezed out, stems discarded, caps halved
1/2 sm red bell pepper cut 1" triangles
3 x scallions (spring onions), mainly white cut into 2" lengths
1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed with
2 tsp cold water for thickening
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp ground bean sauce (mo si jeung)

Directions:

Mix the marinade ingredients together and marinate the chicken while you prepare all of the other ingredients for cooking. Mix together the garlic, chilis, and onion. Combine the ground bean sauce, water, and sugar.

Heat a wok, add the groundnut oil, and swirl the surface with oil. Stir-fry the garlic mixture for 5 seconds. Add the ground bean sauce mixture and stir-fry for 5 seconds. Add the rice wine and combine. Pour in the broth; then the dark soy sauce and stir to combine. Add the chicken, mushrooms, bell peppers, and scallions. Stir-fry over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, reduce the heat a little, and stir in the thickening mixture for a few seconds.

Finally, add the sesame oil, which will impart a beautiful fragrance and richness to the dish.

Serve hot.

Beef With Broccoli

Beef with Broccoli

(The secret to this popular restaurant dish is to marinate the beef in a bit of oil)

Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients:

3/4 lb (375 g) lean beef, sliced thinly into bite-sized pieces

Marinade for Beef:
1 egg
1/3 tsp (1.5 mL) salt
1 Tbsp (15 mL) cooking wine
1 Tbsp (15 mL) cornstarch (corn flour)
2 Tbsp water
1 1/2 Tbsp (20 mL) oil
1 1/2 lb (750 g) broccoli, flowerets removed, slice on the diagonal into thin slices
1 cup (250 mL) cooking oil
2 1/2 Tbsp (30 mL) oyster sauce
2 Tbsp (25 mL) light soy sauce
3/4 Tbsp (10 mL) dark soy sauce
1 Tbsp (15 mL) sugar
a few drops of sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup (125 mL) chicken broth
2 Tbsp cornstarch (if desired)

Directions:

Slice beef and mix together marinade ingredients. Add marinade to beef and marinate for thirty minutes. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil to beef, mix in thoroughly, and marinate beef for another thirty minutes. While beef is marinating, prepare the vegetables.

Heat wok and add 1 cup of oil. When oil is ready, add beef and stir-fry until it is nearly cooked. Remove beef and set aside on a plate. Drain the wok and wipe clean with a paper towel.

Add 1/2 cup water to wok. Bring the water to a boil and add the broccoli. Cover and cook until broccoli is cooked through. Drain the wok.

Heat wok and add oil (about 2 tablespoons). Add the garlic and stir-fry for about 1 minute. Add vegetables and beef and mix together. Make a well in the middle of the wok and add the sauce ingredients. Add cornstarch, stirring to thicken. Mix sauce together with other ingredients. Serve hot.

Variations
*Add carrots and onion if desired. Boil in the wok with the broccoli (you'll need to add more water).

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