Sweet & Sour Chicken

This is one of my family’s favorite meals…but they don’t get it very often. I call this the “dirtiest” meal I know how to make due to how the kitchen looks afterwards. Expect this to be a 2 dishwasher load meal. It’s worth it…believe me…but only once in a blue moon. Tom and I have an unspoken agreement. If I make this meal…he is MOST DEFINITELY doing the dishes. Both loads.

*I start my rice (long grain, white) at the beginning of the process...the timing is always perfect. I use the typical, 2 to 1 rice ration…with a teeny extra bit of water. I also add a pinch of salt and 1 Tbsp. of butter to the boiling water…because the meal isn’t already unhealthy enough.

Step One: VEGGIES

3-4 carrots, sliced

1 green pepper, cut into medium pieces

1 red pepper, cut into medium pieces

1 onion, cut into medium pieces

COOK carrot in small amount of boiling water for 2 minutes. Add green and red peppers; cook one minute. Drain; rinse with COLD water. Set aside. (pic was post boiling. Do NOT boil the onions).

Step 2: CHICKEN

This can be fried or stir-fried. Let your conscience guide you. Tonight, I ignored my January guilt, pulled out the big guns, and went all out. I will include instructions for both ways.

Stir Fried Chicken:

Cut 1 pound of boneless, skinless, chicken breast into 1 inch, bite sized pieces. Season (I don't measure) with salt, pepper, and ginger powder (you can use fresh).

Heat a couple of teaspoons of oil (I use canola or vegetable) in large skillet or wok. Stir fry chicken for 4-5 minutes, or until no longer pink.

Fried Chicken:

Cut 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast into chunks. I prefer the chicken, bigger, if it’s fried.

Prepare one bowl with flour (about 1 C). Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and seasoned salt. Prepare another bowl with 3-4 eggs, beaten. In the third bowl...repeat the four mixture in the first bowl.

Heat some oil in frying pan...about 1/2 inch deep.

In batches, dredge chicken with flour (bowl #1)---dip pieces into egg (bowl #2) --- and then dredge chicken in flour (bowl #3).

Fry chicken in oil, turning, until golden brown.

Step 3: SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE (while chicken is cooking)

3/4 C. sugar

1/3 C. ketchup

1 T. Soy Sauce

1/4 t. salt

1/8 t. pepper

1 (15 oz.) can pineapple chunks

3 1/2 T. Corn Starch

1/3 C. water

1/2 C. white vinegar

COMBINE sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in medium sauce pan; stir well. Drain pineapple, reserving juice; stir pineapple juice into sugar mixture. Bring to a boil.

COMBINE cornstarch and water, stirring until smooth; add cornstarch mixture and vinegar to juice mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture has thickened and is bubbly.

STIR in vegetables and pineapple chunks.

The Grand Finale

Heat 1 tsp. oil in wok…add veggies and 1 clove minced garlic and stir fry for 1-2 minutes.

Add chicken.

Pour sauce over chicken and toss.

Serve it up! (With Fortune Cookies)