As I've said before, I LOVE all types of Chinese food. This recipe really hits the spot, and is a lot better for you than having the breaded and fried chicken you'd normally get in Sweet and Sour from a take-out place.
Sweet and Sour Sauce
1/4 Cup Ketchup
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 Cup White Sugar
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 Cup Pineapple Juice*
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
In a small mixing bowl, combine the Ketchup, ACV, Sugar, and Soy Sauce.
In another mixing bowl, combine the Pineapple Juice and Cornstarch.
In a small saucepan, heat the Olive Oil over medium heat. Then, add all the other ingredients. Keep on stirring until the sauce gets nice and thick.
*If making this with the Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe below, just use the drained juice from the canned pineapple.
Sweet and Sour Chicken
2 Large Chicken Breasts, in bite-sized pieces
2 Green Peppers, chopped
3 Large Carrots, chopped
1 Can Pineapple Chunks (Large can!)
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Batch Sweet and Sour Sauce from above recipe
In a wok, heat the Olive Oil, then add the Chicken pieces. Cook until Chicken is done. Now you can add your veggies and pineapple. Once the Carrots and Peppers have had a chance to soften just a little bit, add the sauce. Let cook just a few more minutes.
Serve over brown rice.
Derek's rating: 7/10
Bourbon Chicken
If you're anything like me, you love "Chinese" take-out... whether it be from a legitimate and authentic Chinese restaurant or from a questionable mall food-court. When I saw the Pinterest link to a Bourbon Chicken recipe, I just had to try it (and put my own personal taste into adjusting measurements).
2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Garlic Clove
1/4 Teaspoon Ginger
1 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 Cup Apple Juice
1/3 Cup Light Brown Sugar (or Dark!)
2 Tablespoons Ketchup
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 Cup Water
1/4 Cup Soy Sauce (Or a little less if desired)
1 Tablespoon Corn Starch
Directions:
Heat your olive oil in a large skillet. Once your olive oil is nice and hot, add only your chunks of chicken until the outsides are slightly browned. Remove the chicken.
In the same pan, add all of the other remaining ingredients over medium heat. Stir until everything has dissolved.
Add the chicken back in and simmer for 20 minutes. Do not cover.
ENJOY!
Red Beans and Rice
2 Cups Red Beans, cooked/canned
1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
1 Small Yellow Onion, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
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2 Cups cooked rice (white or brown)
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Oregano
Salt & Pepper, to taste
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
In a medium-sized pan heat olive oil. Saute minced garlic with the onion. Once the onion has softened up, add the red beans.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the garlic/onion/bean mixture with the cooked rice and other remaining ingredients.
ENJOY!
This meal sure does bring back good memories of Somerset Mall. It could only get better by having roasted potatoes. There's always next time!
My husband will be adding his opinions of the meals after each post. Here was his thoughts on the Bourbon Chicken/Red Beans and Rice: 10/10.
Original Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Original RB&R Recipe
