Tasty homemade Kong Bao chicken

JAKARTA (JP): Dying to find oriental dishes that you can prepare by yourself at home? You must try Kong Bao chicken then. It is a tasty combination of hot dried chilli with a nutty flavor from crisp cashew nuts. The appetizing Yang Chow Fried Rice provides a healthy way to start the day as it is packed with protein, fiber and carbohydrates.

Kong Bao Chicken

* 500 g chicken breast, cut into small cubes * 200 ml cooking oil for deep frying * 2 tbsp corn oil for stir frying * 10 - 20 dried chilli, soaked and cut into 1 1/2 cm long pieces, drained * 2 cloves garlic * 2 cm ginger, chopped * A pinch of salt * 1 tbsp green onion, chopped * 100 g cashew nut, soaked for 1 hour, drained and fried until golden brown.

Spices to mix with the chicken: * 1 egg white * 1 1/2 tbsp corn flour * 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine/sherry * 1 tbsp soy sauce * A pinch of white pepper

Spices mixture : * 3 tbsp black vinegar * 2 tbsp soy sauce * 1 tsp mushroom soy sauce * 1 tbsp sesame oil * 3 tbsp water

(Makes 4 servings)

1. Combine chicken breast with spices. Set aside.

2. Heat oil and deep fry chicken for 3 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken from oil, drain on absorbent paper.

3. Heat oil. Stir fry dried chilli until it changes color. Add garlic and ginger, stir until fragrant. Season with salt, pour in spice mixture and stir until it thickens. Add in chicken and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add green onion.

4. Stir in cashew nuts just before serving. Serve warm.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

* 2 tbsp oil * 1 clove garlic, chopped * 1 shallot, chopped * 1 chilli, sliced * 2 eggs, beaten * 100 g cooked chicken meat, cut into small cubes * 100 g cooked prawn, cut into small cubes * 2 Chinese dried mushrooms, soaked for 10 minutes, cubed * 3 cups rice * 1 tbsp soy sauce * A few drops of mushroom soy sauce for color (optional) * A pinch of salt and white pepper * 2 tbsp cooked carrot, cut into small cubes * 2 tbsp ham, chopped * 2 tbsp green beans * 1 tbsp green onion, chopped

(Makes 4 servings)

1. Heat oil, stir fry garlic and shallot until fragrant. Add chilli and eggs, stir well.

2. Add chicken, prawn, mushroom, rice, soy sauce and mushroom sauce. Season with salt and pepper, keep stirring.

3. Add carrot, ham, green bean and green onion, stir until well combined. Serve warm.

Recipes courtesy of Hidangan Ayam and Ragam Hidangan Nasi by Mary Winata (PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama).