Kung Pao Hen – A Lovely Mess

I’m on a quest this yr to be taught to make lots of our favourite take out meals at dwelling and this Kung Pao Hen recipe hits the spot! This savory and spicy dish is stuffed with taste, simple to make and fairly wholesome. That is critically one among my favourite meals to make now—a household favourite!

Kung Pao Ji Ding, the unique identify, means Kung Pao diced hen because the dish is made up of diced hen, peanuts and chili peppers. I like so as to add bell pepper and serve with steamed rice. The standard Chinese language dish was created by Ding Baozhen who held the title of Kung Pao within the late Qing Dynasty. This model might have just a few substances it’s worthwhile to search out nevertheless it’s tremendous simple for any dwelling cook dinner to make.

Associated: Subsequent up attempt our cashew hen or orange hen recipes.

Substances

• Hen
• Cooking oil – canola, peanut or olive
• Bell pepper
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Dried crimson chilies
• Sichuan peppercorn powder
• Gentle soy sauce
• Darkish soy sauce
• Chinese language cooking wine
• Chinese language black vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Sesame oil
• Peanuts
• Inexperienced onions – or scallions

Learn how to make Kung Pao Hen

First reduce up the bell pepper, eradicating the stem and inside seeds. Mince the garlic and ginger. Reduce the dried chilies in half and take away the seeds. Cube the hen.

In a big skillet or wok warmth the cooking oil and stir fry the bell pepper, garlic, ginger and dried chili items. for two minutes on medium / excessive warmth. Take away to a bowl.

In the identical skillet add a bit extra oil and cook dinner the hen till all items go from pink to white and the meat is cooked via. Use a meat thermometer to test the inside temperature reaches 160°F.

Whereas the hen is cooking make the sauce. First whisk collectively the water and cornstarch. Then stir within the sichuan peppercorn powder, soy sauces, cooking wine, vinegar and brown sugar. Stir till the sugar dissolves.

As soon as the hen is cooked, add the vegetable combination again into the pan. Drizzle on the sesame oil and cook dinner collectively for a pair minutes till every little thing is scorching. Then pour within the sauce in addition to the peanuts and stir so every little thing will get coated. The sauce will start to thicken up rapidly. Flip the warmth off and toss within the inexperienced onions. Serve heat on it’s personal or with some steamed rice.

Ideas and Substitutions

• I take advantage of boneless, skinless hen breasts on this recipe most frequently. Different cuts of hen will even work, however you need one thing you possibly can simply reduce into small cubes or items.
• Sichuan peppercorn powder is obtainable on-line in case you can’t discover it in shops. You can too use entire peppercorns and crush them. I’m going pretty gentle with it on this recipe. If you need extra spice, use extra. In case you aren’t positive stick with what I’ve listed right here and you’ll all the time add extra subsequent time you make this.
• Sichuan pepper has a numbing impact which is fairly distinctive so there isn’t an incredible substitute in case you can’t discover this ingredient. I might use crimson pepper flakes as a substitute so as to add spice, nevertheless it’s not fairly the identical factor though will nonetheless create a tasty dish.
• You’ll be able to substitute Chinese language cooking wine for Mirin or a dry cooking sherry if wanted.
• Balsamic vinegar might be substituted for Chinese language black vinegar on this recipe if wanted.
• You’ll be able to add extra greens to this dish past the crimson bell pepper I take advantage of. Different additions might embody broccoli, cabbage or mushrooms.

Extra Chinese language and Asian Fusion Recipes

P.S. In case you love Chinese language and Asian-fusion recipes one cookbook I like is 168 Higher Than Takeout Chinese language Recipes by Mandy Fu.