Chinese New Year

When we order take out at our local Chinese restaurant, I order chicken lo mein. It is a lot of  noodles with pieces of vegetables and chicken. I figured it couldn't be a lot of work. When I researched several recipes, they called for oyster sauce and other ingredients which wouldn't taste like the one I ordered. So, I figured I would attempt to make up a recipe. Does it taste like the one I order? No. Is it good? Yes. Does my son like it? Very much. It still gives me a nice excuse to order out once in  awhile. 

Chinese Chicken noodle dish
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 lb. chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1/2 lb. Chinese noodles, Soba Noodles, or spaghetti noodles
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup snow peas
1 cup shiitake mushrooms
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, water, cornstarch, and vegetable oil.
2. Add the chicken and coat with the soy sauce mixture.
3. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. In a large pot, cook the noodles according to the directions on the package. 
5. In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium high heat.
6. Add the chicken and saute for about 5 minutes.
7. Add the snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, and celery.
8. Drain the noodles and add the noodles to the wok.
9. In a small bowl, combine the broth, sugar,and rice vinegar.
10. Add the broth mixture to the noodles and heat for 5 minutes. 
11. Season to taste. Serve hot or eat cold.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.
One year ago..............I made Nutella Molten Lava Cake.

Did you already know.............
-The Chinese New Year is according to the lunisolar calendar.
-It is also known as the Spring Festival.
-2013 is the Year of the Snake.

I wish you a year of wisdom, wealth, and longevity.

Orange Chicken

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today is the Chinese New Year. It is now the year of the Dragon. The Oriental Dragon is a symbol of good fortune. I wish you all some good fortune. 

 When we order Chinese, I normally do not order Orange Chicken. It is just too expensive to try something new unless it is at the buffet. My oldest daughter is always asking me to cook up a Chinese dish. My oldest daughter loved this dish. We served our chicken with rice.

Orange Chicken
For the marinade and sauce
3/4 cup chicken broth, low sodium
1 1/2 tsp orange zest, finely grated
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
6 Tbsp white vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 lb chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp cold water

For the chicken coating
3 large egg whites
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cup canola oil

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, add the chicken broth, orange zest, orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and cayenne pepper. Whisk well.
2. Remove 3/4 cups of the mixture and add to a large zipper lock plastic bag.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the bag and remove the excess air before sealing. 
4. Refrigerate for only 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator.
5. Heat the saucepan mixture over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer.
6. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and water until smooth.
7. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan. 
8. Continue to simmer until the sauce becomes thick and translucent about 1 minute. Remove from heat to cool.
9. Whisk the egg whites until frothy and add to a pie plate.
10. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
11. In a second pie plate, combine the cornstarch, baking soda, and cayenne pepper. 
12. Drain the chicken of the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel. 
13. Coat the chicken in the egg whites and then coat in the cornstarch mixture. Shake off any excess coating.
14. Carefully add the coated chicken to the hot oil. Work in batches so the oil isn't over crowded.
15. Turn the chicken in the hot oil.
16. Cook the chicken until golden brown or until cooked through about 5 minutes.
17. Remove the cooked chicken with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. 
18. Make sure the oil is at 350 degrees before repeating with the remaining chicken.
19. Coat the cooked chicken pieces with the sauce.

Recipe adapted from Smells Like Home. Originally found on Cooking at Home with America's Test Kitchen Cookbook.

 Did you already know...........
-People born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Dragon are suppose to be warm hearted, energetic, charismatic, lucky at love, and egotistic.
-People born under the Dragon are natural born leaders.
-Some famous people born under the Dragon sign are Joan of Arc, Susan B. Anthony, Florence Nightingale, John Lennon, and Bruce Lee.