Orange Chicken

When I made this dish, I asked my husband to try the sauce. He told me that it was good but why could he taste oranges. Before I could answer him, my husband said, "I forgot you told me you were making orange chicken now that would explain the orange taste." My son helped me cook this dish. So, my son took all the credit for supper. This dish is very good and only has a faint orange taste. It will be a dish I will make again.

Orange Chicken
2 eggs
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 lb. chicken, cut into bite size
2/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp ginger, minced
zest of one orange
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
3 stalks of green onion, chopped

Directions:

1. Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. 
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and cornstarch. 
4. Add the chicken and coat. Allow to sit for five minutes.
5. In a small bowl, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, 1/2 zest of an orange, salt, and pepper. 
6. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
7. In batches, brown the chicken for a couple of minutes per a side.
8. Add the chicken to the prepared baking dish.
9. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
10. Add half of the chopped green onions. 
11. Bake the chicken for 30 minutes and the chicken is cooked through.
12. Top with orange zest and green onions.

Recipe adapted from Pioneer Woman. 

One year ago................................I made Vatrushka (Russian Cheese Bread).
Two years ago..............................I made Pie Crust.
Three years ago............................I made Ham, Cheese, and Egg Panini.

Did you already know..................
-The largest producer of oranges is Brazil. 
-The majority of oranges produces are used for juice.
-Oranges typically have ten segments.

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.