Hunan Kung Pao, a classic Chinese dish, is a vibrant and flavorful recipe that tantalizes the taste buds with its blend of aromatic spices, tender chicken, and crunchy vegetables. It is a household favorite in many Hunanese homes, and its popularity has spread far beyond its provincial origins to become a beloved dish worldwide. This guide will take you on a culinary journey through the steps of creating an authentic Hunan Kung Pao dish, from preparing the essential ingredients to mastering the cooking technique that brings this special dish to life. Get ready to embark on an adventure that will fill your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and leave your taste buds craving more.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
HUNAN KUNG PAO
This recipe is similar to a famous food chain! Serve over thick noodles.
Provided by JANHAR64
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 1h15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Combine the chicken and shrimp in a mixing bowl along with 4 teaspoons of soy sauce, 4 teaspoons rice wine, and 2 teaspoons sesame oil. Sprinkle with cornstarch, and mix until evenly combined. Set aside to marinate for 25 minutes.
- Heat half of the vegetable oil in a wok over high heat. Stir in the chicken and shrimp, and cook until the chicken has turned white on the outside and is still a bit pink in the center; about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and wipe the wok clean.
- Heat the remaining vegetable oil over high heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook for a few seconds until the garlic begins to turn brown. Stir in the dried chiles and Szechwan peppercorns; cook and stir a few seconds until the peppers begin to darken. Add the red and green bell peppers, dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice wine, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Bring to a boil, stir in the chicken, and cook until the peppers are nearly tender, and the chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes more. Stir in the peanuts and green onion until the green onion becomes limp. Stir in a few drops of sesame oil to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 789.8 calories, Carbohydrate 21.1 g, Cholesterol 228 mg, Fat 51.9 g, Fiber 5.4 g, Protein 59 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 1736.3 mg, Sugar 6 g
KUNG PAO CHICKEN
Steps:
- Marinade: In a non-reactive bowl, prepare the marinade. Combine the rice wine, peanut oil, soy sauce, salt and cornstarch. Stir in the chicken pieces and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the sauce. Set aside.
- Over high heat, in a wok, bring the peanut oil to almost smoking temperature. Stir-fry the chilies, ginger, garlic and white part of the green onions for 30 to 40 seconds, or until the chilies turn dark. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden in color.
- Add the sauce and bring to a boil. Add the peanuts. Thicken with the slurry and continue to cook until glossy. Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with julienne green onions.
EARL'S KUNG PAO (PROTEIN OF YOUR CHOICE)
Earl's Restaurant in Canada makes the most amazing Kung Pao - it's on their menu as chicken, but I had it made vegetarian, and wow, is it fantastic! Make it however you like... at Earl's, you order by the number of peppers... 1 for mild, 6 for scorching... I like 6! *Note* The peppers are not eaten, they're cooked in the sauce, and then removed. Passed along to my by a friend who I ate there with... she mentions that if you cannot find the peppers, you can sub them with 2 tsp chili paste and 1 1/2 tsp chili flakes (to taste.)
Provided by Katzen
Categories Szechuan
Time 40m
Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Mix together the marinade, adding the cornstarch last, and whisking well until there are no lumps.
- Cut the tofu or chicken into 1-inch cubes. Combine with the marinade ingredients. Marinate ½ - 1 hour.
- While the tofu or chicken is marinating, prepare the sauce and vegetables. Set aside.
- Heat wok over medium-high to high heat. Add 2 tbsp oil. When oil is hot, add tofu or chicken and marinade. Stir-fry until chicken is cooked or tofu is browned. Remove from the wok and set aside. Stir fry vegetables until tender crisp, and set aside.
- Cook whole wheat pasta until al dente. Drain.
- Add 2 tbsp oil to wok. When hot, add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry until aromatic (about 30 seconds). Add the sauce, chili paste and hot pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Add cooked tofu or chicken, vegetables, green onions and nuts. Stir until hot. Remove from heat and add few drops of sesame oil.
- Add sauce, vegetables, and chicken to pasta and toss. Garnish with extra nuts.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 732, Fat 35.2, SaturatedFat 4.8, Sodium 917, Carbohydrate 82.9, Fiber 6.4, Sugar 6.2, Protein 24.6
HUNAN KUNG PAO
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Stir fry
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, have all your ingredients prepped and measured. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't forget anything.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients will always produce the best results, so try to use them whenever possible.
- Marinate the Chicken: Marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, and sesame oil will help to tenderize it and give it more flavor.
- Use a Wok: A wok is the ideal pan for cooking Kung Pao chicken because it allows you to stir-fry the ingredients quickly and evenly.
- Don't Overcrowd the Wok: When stir-frying, it's important to not overcrowd the wok. This will prevent the ingredients from cooking evenly.
- Use a High Heat: Stir-frying requires a high heat in order to get the best results. If your wok is not hot enough, the ingredients will not cook properly.
- Stir Constantly: Stir-frying is all about constant motion. This helps to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the ingredients from sticking to the wok.
Conclusion:
Kung Pao chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a restaurant-quality dish that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, give Kung Pao chicken a try. You won't be disappointed.
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