Chile Chicken with Cashews

This dish is wonderful to have for dinner on a cold, stormy evening. I serve this with plain steamed rice and a vegetable. My Flash-cooked Greens with Garlic, #65735 goes really well with this. Recipe is from 'A Spoonful of Ginger' by Nina Simonds.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2  tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons rice wine or 1 1⁄2 tablespoons sake
• 1  teaspoon  toasted sesame oil
• 1  tablespoon  minced fresh ginger
• 1  teaspoon cornstarch
• 4 1⁄2 tablespoons  peanut oil
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  minced scallions, white part only
• 2  tablespoons  minced garlic
• 1  teaspoon  hot  chili paste or 1  teaspoon  dried  chili flakes (or to taste)
• 1  can water chestnut, thinly sliced
• 3⁄4 cup chicken broth
• 3  tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons rice wine or 2 1⁄2 tablespoons sake
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon  toasted sesame oil
• 2  teaspoons  chinese black vinegar or 2  teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1⁄4 cups roasted cashews

Directions

1. Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a bowl.
2. Combine the 2 T soy sauce, 1 1/2 T rice wine or sake, 1 tsp sesame oil, ginger and 1 tsp cornstarch and add to the chicken, tossing chicken cubes to coat.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and let chicken marinate for 30 minutes.
4. Heat a wok or large skillet and add 2 1/2 tablespoons of the peanut oil, heat until very hot and add the chicken Cook over high heat until the chicken cubes become opaque and are cooked, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate; wipe out the pan.
6. Reheat the pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, heat, and add the scallions, garlic and hot chile paste; stir-fry briefly, about 15 seconds, then add the water chestnuts and stir-fry over high heat for about 1 1/2 minutes to heat them through.
7. Mix the chicken broth through cornstarch together and add to the pan, cook, stirring continuously to prevent lumps, until thickened.
8. Return the cooked chicken and add the cashews.
9. Toss lightly to coat and heat through.
10. Scoop everything onto a platter and serve with a vegetable and steamed rice.