Love for Food

Since Chinese New Year was on a Monday this year I decided to celebrate at home. While Sesame Chicken is one of my takeout favorites, I don't get it too often. I love it but to me it's not worth all those calories. I thought this would be higher in calories due to the sugar but when I calculated it, it was not bad at all. If your looking to impress that special someone with your worldly cooking talent this dish is for you! It looks a lot harder than is to make. Hope everyone has a great year of the dragon!!!

Ingredients: Serves Six
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 3/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup soy sauce 1 cup water 1/4 cup cornstarch 1-2 teaspoon ground ginger 1-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds1 tablespoon sesame oil 1/2 – 1 tsp chili paste (optional, varies based on preference) minced garlic Method:

• Cut chicken breast into 1 inch strips.
• Dredge chicken in flour for a quick breading.
• Heat (medium-high) a large skillet that has been coated with your choice of oil.
• Cook chicken in minced garlic, oil and a few dashes of soy sauce until no longer pink.
• Remove chicken from pan and deglaze pan with some of the vinegar.
• Mix together sugar, soy sauce, water, corn starch, ginger, chili paste, red pepper flakes, and the rest of the vinegar.
• Whisk until no corn starch lumps appear.
• Cook on medium – high heat until sauce thickens slightly.
• Pour chicken into skillet with sauce.
• You can add more water if sauce is too thick. (Taste test to see if additional seasoning needed.)
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds.