149.8...Kung Pao Chicken

Last week I made Kung Pao Chicken for dinner and it was a big hit, especially with my son! He told me that I needed to make it again ASAP!

Kung Pao Chicken (Serves 4)

Recipe from Food Network Magazine October 2012

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp. Chinese rice wine or dry sherry

3 1/2 tsp. cornstarch

1 1/4 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks

1 Tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp. Asian chili oil or sesame oil

3 Tbsp peanut oil

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 (1 1/2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

2 bunches scallions (whites cut into 1/2-inch pieces, greens sliced)

4 cups precut stir-fry vegetables

1/2 cup cocktail peanuts

Cooked rice, for serving (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix 1 Tbsp soy sauce and 2 tsp. each rice wine, cornstarch and water in a medium bowl. Add the chicken and toss; cover and refrigerate until ready to use. 

2. Whisk the remaining 2 tsp. soy sauce, 1 Tbsp rice wine and 1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch, the sugar, chili oil and 2 Tbsp water in a small bowl.

3. Heat 2 Tbsp peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and stir-fry 30 seconds. Transfer to a plate. 

4. Heat the remaining 1 Tbsp peanut oil in the skillet. Add the garlic, ginger, scallion whites and precut vegetables; stir-fry until the vegetables are crisp-tender, 5 minutes. Add the chicken and peanuts and stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir the soy sauce-chili oil mixture, add to the skillet and cook until the sauce thickens, 30 seconds. Serve over rice and top with the scallion greens. 

Printable Recipe 

Friday night we went to Westroot Tavern for dinner. We all shared the hot wings to start. 

I ordered the Salmon (lemongrass cream, market vegetables):

Very good!

Saturday’s breakfast:

My daughter had a birthday party to attend so we grabbed lunch at Pacific Coast Grill while we waited for her. I had the Seaside Ahi Poke Bowl (seaweed salad, sushi rice, avocado, crispy wontons and sesame seeds):

It was good but a bit small. 

My husband and I went to the San Diego Gulls hockey game that night with some friends followed by dinner at The Godfather Restaurant. My meal started with a salad:

Followed by the Lasagne al Forno (baked lasagne in the old Sicilian style with bolognese sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheese):

It was really good! 

Sunday’s breakfast was a bit different that usual. My kids have been eating bagels lately and that just sounded so good so I toasted half a bagel with a fried egg and shredded cheddar cheese. 

I got a bunch of stuff done around the house. Lunch was a turkey sandwich and chips. 

We went over to Alicia and Joe’s to watch the Super Bowl. Alicia made our favorite wings and I made Sloppy Joes. I decided to forgo the Sloppy Joes and focus just on the hot wings.

For dessert I made Bake Sale Trifecta Bars which I can’t wait to share the recipe with you soon!

I was glad the Eagles won the Super Bowl. Sometimes I like the underdog. :)

Monday’s breakfast:

After I took the kids to school, I met my trainer at the gym. I ran some errands and had lunch with Alicia at Ototo Sushi. Our usual:

I went to a meeting at the school, then brought the kids home. For dinner I made 20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas (recipe to come) which turned out pretty good. 

Yesterday’s breakfast:

I took the kids to school, then to the gym for spin class. Snack:

I got my nails done and had lunch at Urban Plates:

I took my son to his Bar Mitzvah tutoring in the afternoon then came home to set up for my husband’s poker night at our house. A friend of his brought over delicious Persian food for dinner. 

We have lots of leftovers. These are leftovers I’m happy to have!

Today’s breakfast:

After school drop off, I went to Orange Theory class. Post-workout snack:

Got my hair done afterwards. Always feel like a new person after that! 

Happy Wednesday! I can see the weekend in the distance! ;)

Technorati Tags: 20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas, Bake Sale Trifecta Bars, Everyday, Hot Wings, Kung Pao Chicken, Orange Theory , Pacific Coast Grill, Sloppy Joes, Urban Plates, Westroot Tavern