Everyday Food. Cashew Chicken.

I decided I would have a theme this week. Everyone is always looking for good, easy recipes for every day. So I'm going to highlight some of the recipes from one of Martha Stewart's cookbooks.

Cookbook:  Everyday Food.  Great Food Fast. I love this book. The recipes are easy and tasty.  And there is a picture with every recipe. That's a good thing.

Chinese food is really easy to cook. It's fast, can be prepared so it's healthy and tasty, and once you have basic asian ingredients in your pantry it's easy to make in a pinch. You can have the rice cooking while you make the chicken. I have all of the ingredients on hand except for the scallions. I also steam some broccoli so we have a veggie with the chicken. 

Cashew Chicken

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons dry sherry
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
3 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
Coarse salt
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2/3 cup unsalted cashews, toasted
2 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced

 

1. In a medium bowl, toss chicken with sherry, ginger, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch; season with salt. Let sit. In another bowl, combine broth, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch; set sauce aside.  

2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining chicken. Transfer to a plate.  

3. To same skillet, add 1 teaspoon oil, garlic, cashews, and scallion whites. Cook, stirring constantly, until garlic begins to soften, 30 seconds. Whisk sauce and add to skillet along with the cooked chicken.

4. Cook until sauce thickens, about 30 seconds. 

5. Top with scallion greens and serve with rice.

Asian

 

We like to serve our chinese food on fun square plates that I picked up at Cost Plus World Market and use chopsticks. 

If your kids are having trouble getting the hang of chopsticks, look for a hinge that connects the chopsticks for them.  Here are some cute ones called Chopstick Kids.

5/1 - Update.  Elli had her friend Lili over for dinner last night so I made this recipe.  The girls loved everything but the scallions. Don and I enjoyed it with a nice glass of Merlot.