Garlic Chicken Wings Makes 24 pieces (serves 3 to 4) Make sure the chicken marinates for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours to ensure the proper flavor. Buy precut chicken wings for ease of preparation. 12 chicken wings 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1/4 cup ketchup 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar Cut the chicken wings at the joints to make 3 pieces. Reserve the tip thirds to use in broth. In a small bowl, mix the vegetable oil, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, salt, and sugar together. Pour over the wings and marinate 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake for 40 minutes in a shallow roasting pan (line it with foil for easy cleaning). Stir 3 to 4 times while baking. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Stir-Fried Beef With Tomato and Basil Serves 2 This recipe has a unique flavor and goes well served over fresh rice or noodles. 10 ounces beef tenderloin 4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided 5 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided 1/4 teaspoon salt Dash white pepper 1 small white onion 2 medium tomatoes 1/2 ounce (about 12 leaves) fresh basil 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce Trim the fat from the beefsteak and cut the beef lengthwise into 2-inch strips. Cut the strips crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. In a medium bowl, toss the beef with 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, the salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cut the onion into 1-inch squares. Cut the tomatoes into 8 wedges. Wash the basil and pat dry. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water and set aside. Heat a nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the remaining 4 teaspoons vegetable oil, the beef, garlic, and onion and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until the meat browns. Continue stirring for about 2 minutes over high heat. Stir in the hoisin sauce and cornstarch mixture. As the mixture begins to thicken, after about 1 minute, add the tomatoes and basil; stir for 1 minute. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crispy Scallops With Garlic Sauce Serves 4 You may deep-fry the scallops ahead of time. Simply refry or reheat in the oven before serving. 1 pound sea scallops 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 small egg white 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce 4 cups + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 1 tablespoon minced garlic 3/4 cup Chicken Broth (page 52) 3/4 cup white vinegar 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 green onions, diced Remove the muscle on the outside of each scallop and rinse the scallops in cold water; drain thoroughly. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, mix 1/2 teaspoon salt, the pepper, sesame oil, egg white, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Stir in the scallops, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water, and the dark soy sauce and set aside. In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and the garlic. Cook until the garlic is fragrant. Add the chicken broth, vinegar, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook to boiling. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and return to boiling. Remove from the heat. Heat 4 cups vegetable oil, 1 1/2 inches deep, in a wok to 350°F. In a medium bowl, mix 1/2 cup water, the flour, the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch, the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, the baking soda, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir the scallops into the batter until well coated. Fry 8 scallops at a time for 2 minutes, or until light brown, turning occasionally; drain on paper towels. Continue until all the scallops are cooked. The scallops can be cooked to this point ahead of time. Increase the oil temperature to 375°F. Refry the scallops for about 1 minute, or until golden brown; drain on paper towels. Meanwhile, reheat the garlic sauce and gently mix with the scallops. Garnish with the diced green onions and serve immediately. Excerpted from Everyday Chinese Cooking: Quick and Delicious Recipes from the Leeann Chin Restaurants by Leeann Chin, Katie Chin All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
