Reading the news that Angela Merkel, the German chancellor learned to cook “Kung Pao Chicken” during her visit in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, I am laughing out and also feel proud that this Chinese traditional dish has captured so many foreign leaders’ heart.
Kung Pao chicken, also transcribed as Gong Bao or Kung Po, is a spicy stir-fry dish made with chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers.
For a real authentique one, you must go and taste in person in China!
Here is one of the most popular recipes:
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar, or substitute good-quality balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Sichuan pepper
- 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
- 8 to 10 dried red chilies
- 3 scallions, white and green parts separated, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced or grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
Preparation
1. Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl, stir together the soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved. Add the chicken and stir gently to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
2. Prepare the sauce: In another bowl, combine the black vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, cornstarch, and Sichuan pepper. Stir until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved and set aside.
3. You may need to turn on your stove’s exhaust fan, because stir-frying dried chilies on high heat can get a little smoky. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until a bead of water sizzles and evaporates on contact. Add the peanut oil and swirl to coat the base. Add the chilies and stir-fry for about 30 seconds, or until the chilies have just begun to blacken and the oil is slightly fragrant. Add the chicken and stir-fry until no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add the scallion whites, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Pour in the sauce and mix to coat the other ingredients. Stir in the peanuts and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle the scallion greens on top, and serve.