The Heritage Cook ®

Sharing traditions, one recipe at a time!

General Tso’s Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees (Gluten-Free)

This entry is part 16 of 17 in the series Contests

General Tso Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho and courtesy of Anolon; 2016 Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

Welcome to the Mid-Autumn Festival Blog Feast celebrating the award-winning cookbook, Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho. I am honored to be part of the team cooking recipes from this book and it is my privilege to share Kian’s General Tso’s Chicken recipe with you.

Mid-Autumn is the second most important celebration after Chinese New Year in the Chinese holiday calendar. It is a chance for families to enjoy the harvest moon by sharing a feast together. Today’s recipe is Tso Good! (Sorry, couldn’t resist) This version is luxurious, decadent and indulgent – just what you want in any great meal. It is so good, quick, and easy – this is going to become one of our family’s favorite meals!

http://onebigtable.com/cooknscribble/

Last April I was incredibly lucky to be invited to a private event in Los Angeles from Cook ‘n Scribble where Kian Lam Kho prepared a dish for us, teaching us the techniques of Chinese wok cooking that he honed over many years. Working with precision and great skill, he explained each step of the preparation, how to cut the ingredients so they cook perfectly, the trick of par-cooking the proteins and adding them back at the end to finish cooking, and the history behind unique names for dishes on Chinese menus … in the title of the book, Phoenix Claws refers to chicken feet and Jade Trees are broccoli. Remarkable!

General Tso Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho and courtesy of Anolon; 2016 Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

A couple of days later I was thrilled to be seated right behind Kian when he won the prestigious Julia Child First Book Award at the annual International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) conference. It is always a thrill to see people you know win!

There is so much history and knowledge in this book – it will change the way you think about Chinese food. From the explanations about ingredients to historical references, you are transported to another fascinating land and cuisine. Mesmerizing is not too strong a description!

http://onebigtable.com/cooknscribble/

Look at the richness of this sauce!

General Tso’s Chicken has a varied and curious history, with many people taking credit along the way. Kian explains: “This version of General Tso’s Chicken resembles the original created by Peng Chang-Kuei in Taiwan. Strictly speaking it is not a traditional Hunan dish, but the technique and flavors are inspired by the chef’s Hunan background. It is not as sweet as the standard American version, and is laced with lots of garlic.”

Preparing to fry the chicken; General Tso Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho and courtesy of Anolon; 2016 Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

Preparing to fry the chicken

One of the tricks that Kian teaches us is to par-cook the chicken first, frying it in vegetable oil then setting aside to drain. This helps the tapioca coating stay crispy longer and the chicken doesn’t get overcooked while you’re waiting for everything else to cook through. If you are new to Chinese cooking, be sure to check out his article on how to stock your kitchen with the basics to be able to make a wide variety of dishes.

General Tso Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho and courtesy of Anolon; 2016 Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

Today’s recipe in “Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees cookbook”

As if having this delicious recipe wasn’t enough, you can WIN a copy of Kian’s gorgeous cookbook for your very own (thank you Clarkson Potter). You can recreate all of his beautiful recipes in your own home because Kian provides all the information, hints, and clues you need to get perfection every time!

Win this Anolon Nouvelle Copper 12-inch Stir Fry pan! General Tso Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho and courtesy of Anolon; 2016 Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

Win this beautiful Anolon Nouvelle Copper 12-inch Stir Fry pan!

The Anolon Nouvelle Copper 12-inch Stir Fry pan I used to make the chicken, has a multi-layer metal base with a copper core that creates even and quick heating for all your cooking needs. It is deep enough for easy frying without splattering, the non-stick surface keeps everything from sticking during cooking, and can be used in a myriad of ways – it is a must-have for every kitchen. And today you can WIN one!

General Tso Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho and courtesy of Anolon; 2016 Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

And now for the Giveaway … One lucky reader will receive a copy of “Phoneix Claws and Jade Trees” and an Anolon Nouvelle Copper 12-inch Stir Fry Pan! Click on the Rafflecopter below the recipe … the more options you complete the more chances you have to win. Apologies to my international friends, this contest is open to U.S. residents only.

General Tso Chicken from Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees by Kian Lam Kho and courtesy of Anolon; 2016 Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

 

Jane’s Tips and Hints:

Shaoxing rice wine is a common ingredient in many Chinese dishes and its unmistakable fragrance and flavor enhances anything you add it to.   The closest substitution is a high quality dry sherry, sake, or mirin. But if you can, buy a bottle either online or at a Chinese market (Tai Jade Michiu by TTL is gluten-free and made in a rice-only facility). If you love making Asian dishes at home, you should keep a bottle in your pantry! If you can’t find black vinegar locally, you can approximate the flavor with an equal amount of balsamic vinegar + 1/4 tsp smoked paprika.

 

Gluten-Free Tips:

You can buy or make gluten-free hoisin sauce – Joyce Chen’s brand is a good choice – and there are a wide range of recipes available online. Kikkoman and San-J both make gluten-free soy sauce which you can use to make your hoisin!

 

General Tso's Chicken (Gluten-Free option)
Recipe reprinted with permission from "Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees: Essential Techniques of Authentic Chinese Cooking" by author Kian Lam Kho and Photographer Jody Horton; published by Clarkson Potter, Sept 2015
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Ingredients
  1. 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
  2. Marinade
  3. 2 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
  4. 1 large egg white
  5. 1/2 tsp salt
  6. 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
  7. Sauce
  8. 3/4 cup chicken stock or water
  9. 1/4 cup Shaoxing cooking wine
  10. 2 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar
  11. 1 tbsp soy sauce (see gluten-free tips above)
  12. 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (see gluten-free tips above)
  13. 2 tbsp tapioca starch (sometimes called tapioca flour)
  14. 1 tbsp sugar
  15. Chicken
  16. 4 cups vegetable oil
  17. 3/4 cup tapioca starch
  18. 3 tbsp minced garlic
  19. 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
  20. 1/4 cup dried red chiles
  21. 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  22. 1 tsp sesame seeds, toasted
  23. 2 tbsp thinly sliced scallion greens
Instructions
  1. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add the chicken cubes and stir well. Let marinate 20 minutes.
  2. Combine all the sauce ingredients in another bowl and mix well.
  3. Prepare the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or stir-fry pan over high heat until it is shimmering, about 375°F. Put the tapioca starch in a large bowl and roll the marinated chicken cubes in the starch. Be sure to coat each piece generously. Fry the chicken cubes in the hot oil in two batches until they are golden brown, about 4 minutes. Drain the chicken cubes and set them aside on a double layer of paper towels.
  4. Remove all but 2 tbsp of the vegetable oil from the wok. Add the garlic and ginger to the wok and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Add the chiles and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Stir the sauce mixture so the starch is blended completely and pour it into the wok. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Return the chicken to the wok and quickly toss the pieces in the sauce. Add the sesame oil and stir it into the chicken.
  5. Garnish with the toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallion greens.
Notes
  1. Yield: 2 or more main course servings
The Heritage Cook ® https://theheritagecook.com/

This Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Will! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to Anolon and Clarkson Potter for their generous donations to this giveaway.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Anolon. I received equipment to prepare this recipe and to give away to one of my readers. Thank you for supporting my partnerships with brands that I love to work with and whose products I use regularly. As always, all opinions are my own.

 

Create a New Tradition Today!

 

Keep in touch with Kian on Social Media: Pinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Google+

Keep in touch with Anolon on Social Media: Pinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube

Keep in touch with Clarkson Potter/Crown Publishing on Social Media: Pinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Google+

 

Let’s connect! If you ever need any entertaining or cooking advice, need to alter a recipe for gluten-free, or want recipe suggestions, don’t hesitate to email me. Feel free to quote me, just give credit where credit is due, link to the recipe, and send people to my website. Unauthorized use, distribution, and/or duplication of proprietary material from The Heritage Cook without prior approval is prohibited. If you have any questions or would like permission, please contact me. 

The suggestions here are not intended as dietary advice or as a substitute for consulting a dietician, physician, or other medical professional. It is the reader’s sole responsibility to determine which foods are appropriate and safe for their family to consume. The author makes no claims regarding the presence of food allergens and disclaims all liability in connection with the use of this site. Please see the Disclaimers page for additional details. 

Thanks for joining the Heritage Cook Family!

 

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Comments

  3. I would like to learn how to cook a whole fried fish with sweet and sour sauce that I had in China once.

  4. Goodness that is a favorite of mine and looks so delicious. I would really love to learn how to make traditional homemade Chinese dumplings!

    • Delighted to help people discover this award-winning cookbook and the Anolon pan! Good luck in the drawing Allison!

    • Another one of my favorites Ty – no matter what you make out of this book, you will love it and learn a ton in the process. It is a remarkable cookbook!

    • You’re in luck Mary! There is a mouthwatering recipe for Stir0Fried Lo Mein with Barbecued Pork! I have tagged that one to try too!! 🙂

    • Two of my favorites Dawn. Kian has a recipe for sweet and sour pork that would be each to adjust to use chicken. Yum!!

  14. Actually, I would like to learn to make General Tsos Chicken because I love spicy Chinese food and it seems kind of complicated! I would also like to learn how to make Pot Stickers!

    • This recipe was surprisingly easy, just follow the clearly outlined steps that Kian includes in the recipe. Get all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking – I had this on the table in no time!

    • You are too sweet Kim – thanks for swinging by and I appreciate you sharing the pinned photo!! <3

    • This recipe for General Tso’s Chicken is one of the best I’ve ever had Mita! I know you’ll love it too!

  19. I’ve made several Chinese dishes in my day 🙂 General Tso however is the favorite here, or anything with shrimp! You know, I aim to please Grumpy! The photos are amazing and that meal looks incredible!

    • Grumpy is one lucky fella to have you Shelby! And I love the shrimp dishes too – they’ll be making an appearance in my kitchen soon! 🙂

  22. I want to make this recipe for the General Tsos Chicken and the Red-Cooked Pork I’ve seen mentioned

    • I don’t blame you Michelle – I am already planning on making it again! Thanks for your kind words <3

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