Savor the tantalizing flavors of Kung Pao, a classic Sichuan dish that tantalizes taste buds with its sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes. This delectable dish can be crafted with tender beef or succulent chicken, coated in a rich sauce made from aromatic ginger, savory garlic, and a symphony of spices. The addition of crunchy peanuts and vibrant bell peppers adds a delightful textural contrast and visual appeal. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, this comprehensive guide will lead you through two variations of the beloved Kung Pao recipe, ensuring a flavorful and unforgettable dining experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
KUNG PAO CHICKEN
Spicy chicken with peanuts, similar to what is served in Chinese restaurants. It is easy to make, and you can be as sloppy with the measurements as you want. They reduce to a nice, thick sauce. Substitute cashews for peanuts, or bamboo shoots for the water chestnuts. You can't go wrong! Enjoy!
Provided by Arlena
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 1h30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- To Make Marinade: Combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture and mix together. Place chicken pieces in a glass dish or bowl and add marinade. Toss to coat. Cover dish and place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- To Make Sauce: In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon wine, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture, chili paste, vinegar and sugar. Mix together and add green onion, garlic, water chestnuts and peanuts. In a medium skillet, heat sauce slowly until aromatic.
- Meanwhile, remove chicken from marinade and saute in a large skillet until meat is white and juices run clear. When sauce is aromatic, add sauteed chicken to it and let simmer together until sauce thickens.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 436.5 calories, Carbohydrate 25.3 g, Cholesterol 65.9 mg, Fat 23.3 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 34.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 595.6 mg, Sugar 6.8 g
KUNG PAO CHICKEN
My family loves the kung pao chicken from our favorite Chinese restaurant. But in less time than it takes for the delivery guy to arrive, we can be digging into a steaming platter of this copycat recipe! -Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, salt and pepper; set aside., Place remaining cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir in the stock, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce and chili sauce until smooth; set aside., In a large skillet or wok, stir-fry chicken in batches in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm., Stir-fry onion and red pepper in remaining oil for 2-5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute longer., Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken; heat through. Stir in cilantro and peanuts.
Nutrition Facts :
KUNG PAO BEEF
Steps:
- Trim fat from the steak and cut into 1-inch cubes. Combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine/sherry, egg white and salt in a glass bowl. Add the beef and stir to coat. Marinate for 1 hour, covered in the refrigerator.
- Place peanut/corn oil in a wok, swirling to coat the sides, and place over high heat. Add the chilies and cook until they begin to darken. Add the garlic, ginger and Szechwan pepper; continue to cook to infuse the oil. Add the scallions and bell pepper. Remove the steak from the marinade and add it to the wok. Stir-fry the beef for 3 minutes until brown. Blend in soy sauce, rice wine, Chinese vinegar, sugar and chicken broth. Dissolve the cornstarch slurry and add it to the sauce, stirring, to thicken. Sprinkle in the peanuts and stir to coat. Serve over rice.
KUNG PAO BEEF
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper. Add the cornstarch and mix well. Set aside. In another smaller bowl, stir together the ketchup, rice wine, soy sauce, vinegar and chili sauce. Set aside. In a small pan over medium heat, toast the Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and crush 1/2 tablespoon of the peppercorns in a mortar and pestle, or in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Set aside. Leave the remaining peppercorns whole. Heat a wok over high heat and, when wok starts to smoke, add the peanut oil. Add the remaining whole Sichuan peppercorns, dried chiles and fresh chiles and stir-fry for a few seconds. Add the beef and stir-fry until the beef is brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the reserved sauce and peanuts and cook until the sauce has reduced slightly and is sticky and has a thicker consistency. Add the cilantro and scallions and toss to coat and warm through. Then transfer to a serving plate and garnish with the ground Sichuan peppercorns. Serve immediately.
KUNG PAO BEEF (OR CHICKEN)
I made this recipe for the first time tonight and it was delectable! My husband liked it so much that he requested it as a weekly dish, and I wholeheartedly agree! It's a wonderful recipe that allows for variety, by alternating between beef and chicken. It also comes together so quickly; the cooking time is only 5 minutes or so. I got this recipe from the Betty Crocker website, one of our sponsers here at Zaar (it has been slightly modifed by me). Please note that the prep time includes the marinating time. Something a little different and a little exotic!
Provided by Helping Hands
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 42m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Note: You may also use beef stew meat but make sure that it is a high quality meat.
- Place beef in bowl and sprinkle with 1 tsp olive oil, cornstarch, and pepper. Toss well.
- Cover and place in fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Heat 1 tbs olive oil in electric skillet or wok on high heat.
- Add beef and and stir fry until meat is brown (about 2 minutes).
- Remove beef.
- Add 1 tbs olive oil to skillet and then add scallions, bell pepper, bamboo shoots, garlic, ginger, sugar, and green chiles.
- Stir fry for 1 minute or so.
- Add beef, hot chile oil, and hot sauce, and stir well.
- Allow to heat thru.
- Sprinkle with peanuts and stir just before serving.
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and ensure that your dish turns out perfectly.
- Use a wok: A wok is the ideal cookware for stir-fries because it allows for quick and even cooking. If you don't have a wok, you can use a large skillet or sauté pan.
- Don't overcrowd the wok: When cooking your stir-fry, make sure not to overcrowd the wok. This will prevent the ingredients from cooking evenly and will result in a soggy dish.
- Cook the meat first: If you are using meat in your stir-fry, cook it first. This will help to ensure that the meat is cooked through and that it doesn't overcook when you add the vegetables.
- Add the vegetables last: Add the vegetables to the wok last so that they remain crisp and tender. Stir-fry them for just a few minutes, or until they are heated through.
- Use a sauce: A sauce is essential for adding flavor to your stir-fry. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own. If you are making your own sauce, be sure to taste it as you go and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Serve immediately: Stir-fries are best served immediately after they are cooked. This will help to ensure that the dish is hot and fresh.
Conclusion:
Kung Pao beef or chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With its savory sauce, tender meat, and crisp vegetables, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and tasty meal, give Kung Pao beef or chicken a try.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love