Chicken with Cashew Nuts

This dish is fairly rustic in style - everything cut into fairly large dice. It makes it very easy to prepare, and the different textures all compliment each other in the finished dish. The peppers retain their crunch.

350g chicken thighs
2 onions
1 red and 1 yellow pepper
100g cashew nuts (roasted)
1 garlic clove
2 tbsp oil
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sugar

1 Cut the chicken breasts into 2 cm cubes
2 Dice the onion and peppers
3 Chop the garlic
4 Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan
5 Add the onions and garlic
6 As soon as they begin to soften add the chicken
7 Stir constantly until the chicken has coloured all over
8 Add the soy and sugar.
9 Add some water - approx 1/2 a glass
10 Leave to simmer for 5-6 minutes over a medium heat
11 Add the cashews and peppers
12 Cook for a further 2-3 minutes

Serve with plain boiled rice

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!

In honour of the year of the Snake I have included a couple of my favourite chinese style recipes.
Perhaps not 100% authentic...... - but based on the western style - and healthier than a take away!
I hope you enjoy.

Beef with Basil

If you can get hold of some I would use holy basil in this dish - but normal basil will do.
I marinate the beef in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and a pinch of sugar before cooking for an hour or so - but this is not essential.
I am generous with the white pepper - I really think it adds something special to the dish.
Forgive the photo - I am hoping these will get better!!
The peppers are added late - so retain their crunch in the finished dish

Ingredients

2 steaks ( I used rump)
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
1 red pepper
2 red chillis
1 bunch fresh basil
2 tbsp oil
salt
5 tbsp soy sauce (2 for marinade)
white pepper

1 Cut the steak into thin strips, set aside in a non metallic bowl with two spoons of soy sauce and a pinch of sugar (if you have time to marinade)
2 Finely slice the onion and pepper
3 Chop the garlic - slice the chillis
4 Pick  the basil leaves - tear any large ones in half
5 Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok.
6. Cook the onion over a high heat until it begins to take colour.
7 Add the garlic and chilli and cook for a couple of minutes
8 Add the beef and sear
9 Once the meat has been seared add the peppers
10 After another couple of minutes add the basil leaves
11 Add the soy sauce, stir and add the white pepper (be generous)
12 The dish is ready to be served