Ah, American Chinese cuisine—it’s like a culinary rollercoaster. Ever since I first tried General Tso’s Chicken at a bustling food court, I’ve been hooked.
The combination of crispy chicken, tangy sauces, and a hint of sweetness—it’s magic in a bite! It’s like fireworks on your taste buds, a guilty pleasure I can’t resist.
And let’s not even start on the fortune cookies; sometimes they just get it right, ya know?
Steps
- Orange Chicken: Coat chicken pieces with a mixture of cornstarch and flour. Pan-fry until golden and crunchy, then toss in a tangy orange sauce.
- Soup Dumplings: Mix ground pork with gelatinized pork broth to form a filling. Encase the filling in dumpling wrappers and steam until the broth inside is melted and savory.
- Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts: Sauté Brussels sprouts with garlic and chili peppers. Coat in a spicy kung pao sauce and serve as a flavorful vegetarian dish.
- Scallion Pancakes: Create a dough with flour and water, then roll and layer with scallions. Pan-fry until crispy and golden, then freeze any extras for future meals.
- Pan-Fried Noodles in Superior Soy Sauce: Boil noodles briefly, then fry in a wok with soy sauce, wine, and sugar. The high heat creates a unique flavor and crispy texture.
- Black Pepper Chicken: Marinate chicken in a cornstarch mixture for tenderness. Stir-fry with vegetables and a flavorful black pepper sauce.
- Bang Bang Shrimp: Coat shrimp in a crispy batter and fry until golden. Toss in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce for a delightful appetizer.
- Cashew Chicken: Stir-fry chicken with bell peppers, celery, and roasted cashews. Coat in a sweet sauce for a milder take on kung pao chicken.
- Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein: Stir-fry noodles with cabbage, celery, and onions. Season with soy sauce for a homemade version of the popular takeout dish.
- Szechuan Beef: Cook beef with Szechuan peppercorns and chilis for a spicy, numbing sensation. Coat in a sweet and salty sauce for a well-balanced flavor.
- Egg Roll Bowls: Sauté cabbage, carrots, and other veggies with ground meat. Serve in a bowl garnished with scallions and sesame seeds for a deconstructed egg roll.
- Sesame Tofu & Broccoli: Bake tofu until golden, then toss with broccoli in a savory sesame sauce. Serve with rice for a vegetarian-friendly dish.
- Chili Oil Smashed Cucumbers: Smash cucumbers to create a rough texture, then coat with spicy chili oil. Enjoy as a refreshing and spicy side dish.
- Copycat Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Cook ground chicken with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and spices. Serve wrapped in lettuce leaves for a fresh, flavorful bite.
- Ginger Pork Pot Stickers: Fill dumpling wrappers with a ginger-flavored pork mixture. Pan-fry until the bottoms are crispy, then steam to cook through.
- Fortune Cookies: Prepare a thin batter and bake cookies until just set. Shape them quickly around a fortune before they harden.
- Fried Rice: Stir-fry leftover rice with vegetables and eggs. Customize with any additional ingredients you like for a quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast fillets
- Cornstarch
- Oil for frying
- Orange juice
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Vinegar
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Red pepper flakes
- Green onions
- Orange zest
FAQ
- How can I make Orange Chicken extra crispy without deep frying?
- To achieve a crunchy texture without deep frying, use cornstarch in the breading. This ingredient helps to create a super crunchy coating when pan frying.
- What can I substitute for pork bones in Soup Dumplings?
- If pork bones are hard to find for making the broth, you can use gelatin and any broth of your choice. This will still provide the dumplings with a deliciously rich and flavorful experience.
- Are there any vegetarian alternatives to Kung Pao Chicken?
- Yes, you can make Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts, which are a vegetarian take on the classic dish. You can also adjust the spice level by adding red chili peppers if desired.
- Can Scallion Pancakes be frozen for later use?
- Absolutely! Scallion pancakes freeze very well, making them a convenient option to prepare ahead and enjoy later.
- What is the key to tender Black Pepper Chicken?
- The secret lies in the velveting technique, which involves marinating the chicken in a cornstarch slurry before cooking. This process ensures that the chicken remains moist and tender during frying or boiling.
Tips
- For the Orange Chicken, use cornstarch in the breading to achieve an extra crunchy texture without deep frying.
- When making Soup Dumplings, substitute pork bones with gelatin and your preferred broth to achieve the desired semi-solid consistency.
- To intensify the spice in Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts, consider adding red chili peppers along with the garlic.
- Scallion Pancakes can be made in advance and freeze well, making them a convenient option for future meals.
Equipment
- Wok – Essential for stir-frying and achieving wok hei in dishes like Pan-Fried Noodles.
- Dumpling steamer basket – Useful for making soup dumplings.
- Bamboo rolling pin – Often used for rolling out dough for scallion pancakes and dumplings.
- Bamboo or silicone spatula – Ideal for stir-frying in a wok.
- Deep-fry thermometer – Helpful for ensuring oil is at the correct temperature for frying recipes like Bang Bang Shrimp.
- Spider strainer – Useful for removing fried foods from hot oil.
- Gelatin molds – For shaping and setting gelatinized broth in soup dumplings.
- Dumpling press or maker – Could be useful for forming dumplings or pot stickers.
- Fortune cookie molds – Helpful for shaping and forming fortune cookies.
- Silicone baking mats – Useful for baking items like fortune cookies or tofu.
