Jono & Jules do food & wine

The last time we had this famous Szechwan dish we’d just arrived on a stop-over in Abu Dhabi on our way to visit family in Melbourne. We arrived late and ordered room service and this truly hit the spot. A great combination of velvety chicken, roasted peanuts and a bit of spice. This recipe is from Yan-Kit’s fabulous Classic Chinese Cookbook. Serve with rice.

Wine Suggestion: our choice in Abu Dhabi was a Kirin beer, which was perfect that night. Similarly, choosing a wine this time we looked for a savoury dry texture and chose an Emilio Hidalgo La Panesa Fino Sherry which is kept under flor for 15 years and is outstanding; smooth and velvety even though completely dry and with a salty, nutty texture. A good match, but you needn’t find this exact example as any good Manzanilla or Fino works.

Kung Pao Chicken – serves 3

• 350g chicken breasts, cut into thin strips and then cubes about 1cm square
• 4 tbsp groundnut oil or corn oil
• 2-3 long dried red chillies or 4-5 smaller dried chillies, seeded and cut into pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced diagonally
• 4 to 6 thin slices ginger
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or medium dry sherry
• 3 scallions, cut into small rounds
• 50g roasted peanuts

FOR THE MARINADE:

• third of tsp salt
• 2 tsp thin soy sauce
• 2 tsp Shaohsing wine or medium dry sherry
• 1 tsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp egg white, lightly beaten

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1 tbsp thick soy sauce
• 1-2 tbsp chilli sauce
• 2 tsp rice or white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1½ tsp cornflour
• 6 tbsp clear stock or water

Put the diced chicken into a bowl.

To prepare the marinade; add the salt, soy sauce, wine/sherry, cornflour and egg to the chicken. Mix well and leave to marinate for 15-30 minutes.

Prepare the sauce by mixing the soy sauce, chilli sauce, vinegar, sugar, cornflour and water together.

Heat a wok over a high heat until smoking, then add the oil and swirl it around the pan.

Add the dried chilli, stir, then add the garlic and ginger and stir until aromatic. Add the chicken. Turn and toss for about 1 minute.

Splash in the wine or sherry, stirring and tossing continuously.

Add the scallions and cook for another 30-45 seconds by which time the chicken should be cooked.

Add the well-stirred sauce to the wok and keep stirring while it thickens.

Finally stir in the peanuts, then remove to a warm serving plate. Serve immediately with steamed rice.