General Tso's Chinese New Year Chicken Dish (Slow cooker)

The dish is a sweet and spicy deep-fired chicken dish. It goes by many names, but "tso" refers to General Zuo Zongtang, who could not have eaten the dish or know of it, so as the story goes!

左宗棠雞 (Chinese)

zuǒ zōngtáng jī 

"general Tso's chicken"

Serves 4

stemmed organic vegetables of your choice.

steamed rice

Sauce: 酱 /jiàng/

1/4 cup (60 ml) water

1/4 cup (30 g) organic brown sugar

4 Tbs. (60 ml) hoisin sauce

3 Tbs. (45 ml) soy sauce or gluten-free liquid aminos 

2 Tbs. (30 ml) rice wine 

2 tsp. (10 ml) sesame oil

1 tsp. (2 g) garlic powder, ground ginger, red curry paste

1 Tb. (15 ml)  white vinegar
2 tsp. (4 g) paprika
a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup (30 ml) organic pineapple juice

一 /yī/ 1. Whisk all the ingredients. Set aside.

Chicken: 雞  /jī/

1/2 cup (65 g) organic cornstarch (also called: maize starch or cornflour)

1 tsp. (2 g) each: black pepper, powder garlic, ground cumin

2 pounds (910 g) organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch (2,55 cm) pieces

2 Tbs. (30 ml) olive oil

sliced organic scallions

sprinkle of sesame seeds

二 /èr/ 2. Combine the cornstarch and spices in a glass container with a lid.

三 /sān/ 3. Add the chicken pieces, seal and shake to coat the chicken.

 (a) can use a bowl and mix with a spoon.

四 /sì/ 4. In a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.

五 /wǔ/ 5. Add chicken insigne layer and sear two minutes per slide until golden brown.

六 /liù/ 6. Add chicken to the slow cooker.

七 /chī/ 7. Stir in the sauce.

八 /bā/ 8. Cooke on low 1 1/3 hours (chicken temperature 165F/74C).

九 /jiǔ/ 9. Serve with vegetables and rice as toppings, sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

十 /shí/ 10. Refrigerate any leftovers.