Saturday, August 16, 2008

Chicken & Broccoli (Just like Chinese takeout for real!)




This recipe is a little time consuming since you have to velvet the chicken breast first and then combined with broccoli in an oyster-flavored sauce but it is SO WORTH THE TROUBLE! Alex brought the leftovers to work the next day and said it was even better then!

3/4 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

To Velvet Chicken:
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt

Sauce:
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon water

To Cook Broccoli:
1 pound broccoli
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar, or to taste

Other:
1 small package of mushrooms
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons peanut oil, for frying


Preparation:
1. Cut the chicken into 3/4 to 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, mix together the egg white, cornstarch and salt. Add the egg white mixture to the chicken cubes, tossing or using your fingers to coat the chicken in the mixture. Marinate the velveted chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 30 - 60 minutes.
2. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the sauce and vegetables: for the sauce, mix together the oyster sauce, light soy, dark soy, and water in a small bowl and set aside. In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water thickener and set aside. Wash and drain the broccoli. Cut the into flowerets. Crush the garlic and mince.
3. Preheat a wok. Heat 2 cups oil in the wok until it reaches 275 degrees Fahrenheit. (Test the heat by placing a piece of chicken in the wok - it should float). Add the chicken cubes, and let cook until they just turn white (about 30 seconds), using a wooden spoon or chopsticks to gently separate them. Quickly remove the chicken cubes from the wok as soon as they turn white, and drain in a colander or on paper towels.
4. Drain the oil out of the wok or preheat a second wok on medium high to high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the crushed garlic and stir fry for 10 seconds.
5. Add the broccoli then sprinkle the salt and sugar over and stir fry briefly, turning down the heat if necessary to make sure it doesn't burn. Add the 1/2 cup water, and cook the broccoli, covered, for 4 - 5 minutes, until it turns a bright green and is tender but still crisp. Remove from the wok and drain.
6. Clean out the wok and heat 2 more tablespoons oil. Add the broccoli, mushrooms and the velveted chicken, stirring and tossing to cook the chicken through. Add the sauce and cornstarch mixture in the middle of the wok and stir quickly to thicken. Mix everything together and serve hot over steamed rice.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello? May I have your attention, please??

Did you "get" the recipe right out of the "About.com"?
A friend of mine's, actually.

IF you got someone else's ideas from internet, you should specify clearly..."Citing Sources" is very important nowadays.

http://chinesefood.about.com/od/chickenrecipes/r/broccolichicken.htm

Anonymous said...

anonymous...you idota.....this a great recipe get a life. animal.